Seminar observed
Life and works of poet Shamsur Rahman, a symbol of secularism, was analysed in a seminar at the Kabi Shamsur Rahman
Seminar Room of Bangla Academy on Sunday.
Bangla Academy organised the programme with a view to
reach people from all walks of life.
Presided over by poet Belal Chowdhury, Masuduzzaman presented his keynote paper ‘Shamsur Rahman: Kobi-Shiromonir Pratikriti’ at the programme.
Professor Rafiqullah Khan, professor Soumitra Shekhar and professor Baitullah Kadri as the discussion participants. Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of the academy, delivered welcome speech.
The programme commenced through observing one-minute silence to mourn professor Khandokar Ashrafuddin, poet and vice-chancellor of Trishal National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University, who died on Sunday morning.
In his paper Masuduzzaman analysed Rahman as an uncompromising ground-breaking voice in Bangla literature, saying, ‘He is the first poet whose poems can be identified as “Bangladesh’s poem”. From the language movement in 1952 to the mass uprising against autocratic rule in 1990, every movement and dream of people had been portrayed by him in his writings.’
‘Shamsur Rahman was the leading figure of his time. His poems reveal emotional conflicts, dilemmas, sadness and joy of contemporary people in the society. Having brought up in old Dhaka, he has been capable in reflecting the lifestyle of people from that area but he has also been equally successful to relate his works with the new generation of urban crowd. Owing to his attributes, he has been able to carve a permanent place for himself in the hearts of people as an urban poet ’, he added.
Masuduzzaman also emphasised that the gifted poet had a unique tone of his own. The images, allegories and metaphors used by him in his verses are heart rendering and tremulous, transcending the geographic boundary of his own country.
The second part of the programme was kept brief due to the demise of professor Khandokar Ashrafuddin. Sayera Habib and Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay recited Shamsur Rahman’s Nayoker Protikha and Phiriye Nao Ghatok Kata respectively.
‘Poet Shamsur Rahman has enriched our poetry with a new artistic dimension and took it to a great new height through his own efforts. Bangla Academy will arrange this kind of discussion on other noted personalities in different parts of the country,’ Shamsuzzaman Khan said.
-With New Age input
