The government should recognise the contribution of Jibanananda Das to Bengali literacy as he was the greatest Bengali poet of all time and the creator of ‘Banalota Sen’— the embodiment of the serene beauty of Bangali woman, speakers told a discussion in Barisal on Friday.
Jibanananda introduced modernism in Bengali literature, but apart from introducing a postal-stamp, his contributions are yet to be recognised by the state of Bangladesh, they said.
They also demanded the implementation of the Dhanshiri River eco-park project, the excavation of Dhanshiri River, the founding of a museum, and the installation of sculptures of the poet in places connected with his life, works and memories. They also called upon the government to conduct more studies and research into the life and achievements of the poet so that a new generation could know the importance of his role in literacy.
The calls were made at the distribution of the Jibanananda Prize in memory of the poet in Barisal city, during a discussion chaired by poet Asad Chowdhury and presided over by poet Shamim Reza.
During the prize-giving, the Jibanananda Purshkar 2013 was awarded to the literary personalities Khondakar Ashraf Hossain (posthumous) for poetic works and Shantanu Kaisar for prose works.
The discussants celebrated the life, works and achievements of the award winners and also poet Jibanananda Das. The festival in two sessions was jointly organised by Adda, Dhansiri of Barisal, and Sahitya Soikat of Rajapur, Jhalakathi and the magazine Durba of Gopalganj.
The inaugural session was held in the morning at Jibanananda Angan, the house of the poet, and saw wreaths placed at his portrait. The second session in the afternoon was held in the conference hall of Barisal University, presided over by Poet Belal Chowdhury.
