Dhaka: Renowned Tagore exponent and Chairperson of Dhaka University's Music Department Rezwana Choudhury Bannya received the 'Firoza Begum Memorial Gold Medal' on Thursday for her outstanding contributions to the field of music.

DU Vice-chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique handed over the award to Rezwana at ceremony at the Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University, marking the 91st birthday of legendary Nazrul singer Firoza Begum.

Jannatul Ferdous Nila, a student of the music department who achieved highest CGPA in BA (Hons) in 2016, also received the award.

DU Treasurer Dr Kamal Uddin presided over the programme while Firoza's two sons -- Shafin Ahmed and Hamim Ahmed -- were present.

Bannya was also got Ananda Sangeet Puroshkar in 2002 for being the best female Rabindra Sangeet artist, Gaane Gaane Gunijon Shongbardhona (Bangladesh) in 2011, Sangeet Samman Puroshkar from the Ministry of Culture, India in 2013, Independence Day Award 2016 and Banga Bhusan awarded by the West Bengal government.

The DU music department in association with ACI Foundation introduced the award in 2016 in memory of the late legendaryNazrulsinger.