Artistes perform at the programme. Photo: Star

The 163rd birth anniversary of renowned poet, novelist and playwright Mir Mosharraf Hossain was observed with a two-day programme starting from yesterday.
The event included discussion, drama and a fair held at the writer's ancestral home in Lahinipara, 4 kms from Kushtia town.
Kumarkhali Upazila Administration arranged the programme.
A large number of people and admirers of Hossain's works from different parts of the district and adjacent areas attended the programme.
The inaugural session of the event was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Manikhar Rahman. Among others, Kumarkhali Upazila Chairman Abdur Rouf; Vice Principal Abdus Sattar and journalist Sohel Habib spoke at the programme.
Born on November 13, 1847, at Lahinipara, Mosharraf wrote 35 books that included novels, plays, stories, poems, an autobiography and religious discourse. Among his significant works are “Bishad Sindhu”, “Jamidar Darpan” and “Bashanto Kumari”.
Mosharraf also worked as a journalist at 'Gram Barta Prokashika' edited by Kangal Harinath and 'Shangbad Hitokor' of Ishwar Gupta. Later, Mosharraf edited a fortnightly paper in 1880, called 'Hitokori'. He died in 1911.
Unfortunately the author's home is in a dilapidated state due to the negligence of the concerned authorities. All that remains is a mango tree planted by the author on his two-acre land. A mosque, a library and a primary school have been built in his honour.
Recently, an auditorium was constructed at Mosharraf's homestead at a cost of Taka 54 lakh. The auditorium also houses a library and a museum. Kushtia Zila Parishad sanctioned the funds.
The present government also renamed a bridge on Gorai river in honour of Mir Mosharraf.