Festival for distributing Jibanananda-Prize

As eminent writer Hassan Azizul Haque hands over the award at the prize giving ceremony, (R) poet Asad Chowdhury looks on. Photo: Star

A day-long festival to mark the distribution of the Jibanananda-Prize in memory of Jibanananda Das, the “Poet of Ruposhi Bangla” was held on Friday in the ancestral city of the poet. The participants called for more study and research on the life and achievements of Das, while they also sought the preservation of places associated with the poet.

Literary personalities Imtiar Shamim for prose and Khaled Hossain for poetic works were awarded Jibanananda Puroshkar 2014 at the festival.

The festival, divided into two sessions, was jointly organised by Right Foundation Bangladesh, Dhansiri Sahitya Soikat Jhalakathi and little magazine “Durba" of Gopalganj.

The inaugural session was held at Jibanananda-Angan, the ancestral home  of the poet in Barisal city with floral tributes on his portrait, recitation and discussion on poetry.

The second session in the afternoon was held at Abdul Khalek Auditorium of the city presided over by poet Asad Chowdhury.

Noted literary personality Hassan Azizul Haque was the chief guest at the programmes.

Imtiar Shamim (February 13, 1965) was awarded  Jibanananda  Purushkar 2014, for 22 books including eight novels, six stories, four essays, four books for youngsters and other prose works such as literary criticism, poetry translations, dramas and essays considered to be a valuable contribution to the contemporary literature of Bangladesh.

Khaled Hossain was awarded Jibanananda Purshkar 2014 as author of 28 books including 11 poetic works, five essays, two stories and 10 rhymes and writings on the lives and works of contemporary literary personalities, philosophers along with five edited works.

The two literary personalities were awarded a crest and address of honour at the second session.

Besides unveiling of the cover of magazine 'Dhanshiri', a discussion, writer's meet, poetry recitation and discussion on  poetry were the other attractions of the festival.

The discussants elaborated on the life, works and achievements of the awarded literary personalities, internal values and the impact of Das on Bengali language and literature.

The discussants said that Das, best known as the poet of “Ruposhi Bangla”, was the greatest Bengali poet of all times and the creator of “Banalota Sen”-- an unparalleled character embodying the serene beauty of Bengali woman.

Discussants and participants at the programme  demanded state-recognition of the poet, implementation of the Dhanshiri River eco- park project and excavation of Dhanshiri River, establishing museum, memorials and sculptures of the poet in places connected with his life, works and memories. They also called for greater research on his life and achievements.

Born on February 17, 1899, Jibanananda Das, a teacher of English in Barisal and Kolkata, is arguably the most influential romantic poet of the post-Tagore era. He died in a road accident on October 22, 1954 in Kolkata.