Thursday was the 86th birth anniversary of late Shamsur Rahman, who is considered to be one of the most prominent contemporary poets of the country. Bangla Academy organised a programme that featured a lecture, in celebrating the day at its Kobi Shamsur Rahman seminar room on Wednesday. Noted poet-playwright Syed Shamsul Haque, noted researcher professor Shantanu Kaiser, and Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla academy, delivered speeches on the life and works of the poet at the programme.
Shantanu Rahman delivered a keynote speech titled ‘Shamsur Rahman, Rup Rupantorer Kobi’ at the programme. In his speech, he said that diversity was one of the biggest qualities of the poet. ‘His poems addressed diverse themes including the war of independence and also the day-to-day struggle of the common people,’ said Rahman.
Shamsuzzaman Khan, in his speech, hailed late Shamsur Rahman as one of the most significant poets of Bengali literature. ‘His artistic diction and lively presentation of the subject matters will always be a source of inspiration for the upcoming poets,’ added Khan.
Syed Shamsul Haque also pointed out at the versatility of Shamsur Rahman as a poet. ‘His political poems are as charming as his love poems and it is a great quality for any poet to have,’ said Haque.
Haque also said that it was Shamsur Rahman who initiated an era of modern poetry in Bengali literature. ‘Shamsur Rahman worked as a bridge between the poets of the 1930s and the modern post-liberation Bangladeshi poetry,’ added Haque. ‘He had immense contributions in reshaping the taste of Bengali poem readers with his modern poetry,’ also said Haque.
The academy also organised a cultural programme along with Jatiyo Kabita Parishad and Shamsur Rahman Smrity Parishad at the academy’s Rabindra Chattar on Thursday afternoon. Professor emeritus Anisuzzaman and noted poet Habibullah Siraji were present at the programme.
Shamsur Rahman (October 23, 1929 – August 17, 2006) emerged as a poet in the latter half of the 20th century. He wrote more than 60 books of poetry and is considered a key figure in Bengali literature. Major themes in his poetry and writings include liberal humanism, human relations, romanticised rebellion of youth, and opposition to religious fundamentalism.
-With New Age input
