‘Will keep memory of Jibanananda Das alive’
Says state minister for cultural affairs in Barishal
To preserve the memory of Jibanananda Das, a sculpture and a memorial complex will be constructed at his ancestral place in Barishal, KM Khalid, state minister of cultural affairs, promised local cultural activists yesterday.
Besides, construction work of Barishal district Shilpakala Academy Complex will be completed on February 27 next year, he said.
District-level programmes related to the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be conducted there, the state minister said while visiting the construction site on Bandar Road.
He said, “We will take steps to preserve the memories of renowned locals who have greatly contributed to the society.”
“Funds will not be an obstacle for cultural activities, and the cultural ministry will extend all kinds of support in this regard,” he added.
Barishal Deputy Commissioner SM Ajior Rahman presided over a meeting held on the site.
Construction work of Shilpakala Academy Complex started in 2016 with an initial budge of Tk 17 crore, which was later extended to Tk 28 crore.
The Shilpakala complex will have four floors with a total space of 16,600 square feet. It will have a 500-seat auditorium, open stage, art gallery and library, said Oliver Guda, executive engineer of Public Works Department, Barishal.
Jibanananda Das, one of the greatest poets of the Bangla language, was born on February 17, 1899 in Barishal of erstwhile East Bengal, and completed his matriculation from Brajamohan School in the district in 1915.