Poet Bonde Ali's 106th birth anniversary today

January 17 is the 106th birth anniversary of poet Bonde Ali Miah, who hailed from Pabna. Poet Bonde Ali Smrity Parishad, Pabna organised a daylong programme here in Pabna to mark this momentous day. Ali is known for his easy-going and appealing presentation and his literary works for children. The poet was born on January 17, 1906 in the village Narayanpur, beside the river Ichhamoti in Pabna.
Ali's poetry depicts the rural life of Bangladesh, free from complexities and the din of a mechanical existence.
Not just a poet, he was also an accomplished painter and scriptwriter. A famous figure in Bengali literature for his recreation of a laidback life and rural pictures in his writings, he was also a prominent author of children's literature.
“Char Jamai”, Bonde Ali's first book was published in 1927 from Ashutosh Library in Calcutta. The poet wrote 84 books, including poetry, prose, drama and lyrics, largely against a rural backdrop. His famous poem “Moinamotir Char” was published in 1931 from D.M. Library in Calcutta. Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore was full of praise for “Moinamotir Char”.
Among his famous books are “Anurag” (1933), “Padma Nadir Char” (1933),
“Shapno Shadh' (1936), “Madhumatir Char” (1946), “Jagrata Jouban” (1949), “Mon-er Moyur” (1956), “Aranna Godhuli” (1958), “Premer Banhi Shikha” and “Tasher Ghar” (1954). Ali was also known as a writer of children's literature: as for instance “Char Jamai”, “Megh Kumari”, “Jongoler Khabar”, “Jangaler Raja”, “Shishuder Bishad Sindhu” and “'Boka Jamai”.
Ali was a schoolteacher by profession in Calcutta until 1947. He also edited “Bikash” and “Bhorer Alo” two well-known periodicals of that time in Calcutta. After 1947, Ali returned to the country and engaged in drawing and writing books. He was appointed as a scriptwriter in Rajshahi Radio Centre in 1964 where he worked till his death. The poet spent his last years in Rajshahi. He died on June 27, 1979 in his Kazihatpara residence, under Rajshahi town. He was buried by his family in front of his residence in Radhanager village, under Pabna town where he born.
“It is our duty to keep alive the memories of poet Bonde Ali. A discussion will be held today at Pabna Annada Gobinda Public library,” said Md. Abdul Aziz, president of Poet Bonde Ali Smrity Parishad.