A three-day festival marking the 113th birth anniversary of self-taught and rationalist philosopher Aroj Ali Matubbar ended in Barisal yesterday with a call to preserve, study and follow his works. 
The festival featuring a book fair, awarding of the Aroj Padak, cultural function, discussion on his life and achievements was organised by Darshanik Aroj Manjil Public Library before the library Matubbar founded in his village home at Lamchhari, 11 kilometres east of Barisal city. 
Born to a landless farming family on December 17, 1900, Aroj Ali only attended a village maktab, mosque-based Islamic education system, and did not get higher education. He, however, taught himself extensively by borrowing books from libraries.
As a practicing Muslim and pious man, Matubbar spoke up against superstition and fanaticism and tried to restore the balance between science, philosophy and religion, said speakers.  Shah Azizur Rahman Khokan, president of Darshanik Aroj Manjil Public Library; Manik Matubbar, its secretary; Ziaul Islam Sabu, local union chairman; Shohidul Alam, deputy commissioner; and Nurul Amin, divisional commissioner, among others, spoke.
Aroj Ali Matubbar, a farmer and land surveyor by profession, died on March 15, 1985 and donated his body to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College in Barisal city.
He authored several books including Satyer Sandhan (1973), Sristirahasya (1977), Anuman (1983), and Muktaman (1988). Several of his writings were published posthumously under Aroj Ali Matubbar Rachanabali (works of Aroj Ali Matubbar).