Noted Kobial Bijoy Sarkar's112th birth anniversary was observed at his village Dumdi under sadar upazila in Narail district on February 20.
Marking the day, Bijoy Sarkar Foundation and district administration organised a two- day programme.
The programme saw the placing of wreaths on the portrait of the late poet, discussion and renditions of the bard's songs by artistes. Bayati Parimal Sarkar from Bagerhat district and Gorachad Sarkar from Magura district rendered Jari Gaan in the evening. A village fair was held at adjoining areas of the birth place of Bijoy Sarkar.
"Ei prithibi jemon achhe temoni thik robe, shundor e prithibi chhere ek din choley jete hobe" goes the lyrics of one song. Bijoy Sarkar wrote nearly 1,800 spiritual, patriotic, and love songs,” said Bamini Mohon Roy, a follower of Bijoy.
He further said that though 600-700 songs were published, around 700-800 hundreds songs are in a vulnerable condition and need immediate preservation.
Biplob Biswas, another follower, called on the government to preserve the songs and take initiatives to disseminate Bijoy's philosophy to the next generation.
Kobial Bijoy Sarkar was awarded the Ekushey Padak-'13 posthumously for his contributions in modernising 'Kabigaan' and thereby fulfilling a long cherished desire of the people of Narail and millions of his fans from Bangladesh and West Bengal.
Abdul Gaffar Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Narail said that the administration would take necessary steps to preserve the songs of Bijoy Sarkar.