Poet Ahsan Habib’s centenary of birth observed

The 100th birth anniversary of eminent poet Ahsan Habib was observed yesterday through a series of programmes. A seminar followed by discussion, poetry recitation and river cruise were organised in Barisal town to mark the birth anniversary of the poet. At the seminar, Barisal University student and researcher Fahima Yeasmin Keya presented the keynote speech. Speakers called upon the young generation to come forward in conducting more research on Ahsan Habib’s life and his works. Adda Dhanshiri, an organisation that researches into the works of poet Jibanananda Das, organised the daylong programmes. Ahsan Habib was born on February 2, 1917 in the village Shankarpasha, under Pirojpur district. His first poem “Mayer Kabar Pare Kishor” was published in his school magazine in 1934; he was a student of class X at that time. His poems were published in various journals and literary magazines including Desh, Mohammadi and Bichitra. His first book of poems was “Ratri Shesh” (1947). Ahsan Habib received several awards for his literary works, including Bangla Academy Award, Adamjee Literary Prize, Nasiruddin Gold Medal, Ekushey Padak, Abul Mansur Ahmed Memorial Prize and Abul Kalam Memorial Prize.