Bangla Academy celebrated its 55th founding anniversary with elaborate programmes on December 3. The celebration began with offering wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar, and included discussion and a cultural event.
Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla Academy; Mohammad Altaf Hossain, secretary of the academy; Murshid Anwar, deputy director of Coordination and Public Relation Department of the academy and other dignitaries paid tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement by offering flowers at the Shaheed Minar to mark the day.
The academy organised a discussion on “Ekhon Rabindranath”, followed by a cultural programme.
Tagore exponent Professor Sanat Kumar Saha presented the keynote paper. Shamsuzzaman Khan delivered the welcome speech and National Professor Kabir Chowdhury presided over the programme.
Shamsuzzaman Khan said, “The main task of the academy is to conduct research on Bangla language, culture, history and publish fictional, literary and research-based works. Bangla Academy Award is considered one of the most prestigious honours in our country. The award is conferred every year. To honour the International Mother Language Day, the academy organises the month-long Ekushey Boi Mela, the oldest and largest book fair in the country. Bangla Academy has become a part of our national identity.
“On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore -- to be celebrated next year -- we are going to take a number of initiatives, including book publications and cultural programmes on the great bard.
“Honouring the contribution of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam to Bangla literature, the academy has decided to install two life-sized sculptures of the poets at the its entrance.”
Sanat Kumar Saha said, “Rabindranath mingled man and nature in his poems, dramas, novels and short stories. He dreamt of a world that has no place for war, crimes or injustice. Subtle and sublime expressions, individualism and humanity are recurring subjects in his writings.”
Kabir Chowdhury said, “Bangla Academy not only contributes to the field of language and literature, but is also a powerhouse of art, research and culture. Sanat Kumar Saha has delivered a scholarly speech. Besides being a true patriot, Tagore was also a global personality. He is a major source of inspiration for us.”
The cultural programme featured Rabindra and Nazrul Sangeet renditions by artistes Laisa Islam Lisa, Iffat Ara Dewan, Sajid Akbar, Sharmin Shathi Islam, Yakub Ali Khan and Lina Taposhi.