The fourth Poet Jibanananda Das Poetry Festival, began yesterday in Barisal, to celebrate the 120th birth anniversary of the poet. The festival is being held at the poet’s workplace, Barisal BM College campus.
Uttoron Sangskritik Sangathan, a cultural-literary organization of BM College, is the organizer of the festival. The festival will feature discussion on the life and achievements of the poet, his influence on Bangla language and literature, recitation of his poems, an essay writing contest and a painting competition.
In the inaugural ceremony, which began in the afternoon, a cultural function was arranged on the festival grounds. Chief guest of the inaugural program was the Divisional Commissioner of Barisal Ram Chandra Das. Initiators of the festival Rokon Bepari, Syed Mehedi Hassan, and convener of the festival sub-committee Udoy Shankar Das, addressed the people who attended the festival today. Jubayer Hossain Shahed, president of Uttaron, presided over the proceedings of the inaugural program.
Both speakers and participants, who attended the festival today, demanded the preservation and implementation of the Dhansiri river eco- park project, which will require dredging. The people also demanded a museum on the poet, along with memorials and sculptures, located in various places connected to Jibanananda’s life and works.
The speakers stressed the need for more study and research on Jibanananda’s life, works, and ideology, and his influence on Bangla language and literature.
Principal of BM College Professor Shafiqur Rahman Shikdar inaugurated the book fair, which is part of the festival. About 30 stalls, showcasing the native culture of Bangali life and traditions, have opened at the fair.
Born on February 17, 1899, Jibanananda is arguably the most influential romantic poet of the post-Tagore era. He died in a tragic road accident on October 22, 1954, in Kolkata.
