The 55th founding anniversary of the Bangla Academy, a centre that promotes the country’s literature, culture and language, was observed through a discussion and a cultural programme on the academy premises on December 3.
The programme began with placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar in the morning. A commemorative speech styled ‘Ekhon Rabindranath’ was delivered by Professor Sanat Kumar Saha at a function on the academy premises in the evening. The discussion was presided over by National professor Kabir Chowdhury while Bangla Academy director general Shamsujjaman Khan delivered welcome speech.
Pointing out different aspects of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Kabir Chowdhury said, ‘Bangla Academy is not only a language and literature-based institution, but it is also a sole centre for art and culture that carries out researches thorough its various creative initiatives.’
At the programme, Shamsuzzaman Khan said the academy had already planned various programmes to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath.
He also said the country had not yet possessed an authentic autobiography of Tagore, for this reason, the academy had decided to publish a book titled ‘Rabindranath’ as part of the birth anniversary initiatives.
‘Sculptures both of Rabindranath Tagore and poet Kazi Nazrul Islam will be erected on the premises of the academy soon’, he added.
Essayist Sanat Kumar Saha said that Tagore has built a bridge between the humans and nature through his works–poems, songs, dramas and stories.
‘We must read and realise the philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore to root out all the anomalies in our society,’ Sanat Kumar Saha added.
Noted singers Iffat Ara Dewan, Sazed Akbar, Laisa Islam, Yakub Ali Khan and Leena Taposi rendered popular Tagore and Nazrul songs in a cultural programme following the discussion.
