Preserve works of Jibanananda

The 127th birth anniversary of celebrated poet Jibanananda Das was observed in Barishal yesterday with a series of programmes organised by local poets, writers, and cultural activists.

In the morning, members of Pragati Lekhak Sangha and Barishal Kabita Parishad paid floral tributes at a mural of the poet at the Jibanananda Das Memorial Auditorium and Library, established at his ancestral home.

Speakers at a discussion meeting, chaired by poet Tapankor Chakraborty, called for the establishment of a research centre, a large-scale library, and a museum dedicated to the poet at his ancestral residence, Sarbananda Bhaban, also a portion of the current Department of Public Health Engineering office.

They highlighted that Jibanananda Das taught English at Government Brajamohan College from 1935 to 1946, noting that although a dormitory bears his name, little has been done to promote research and study of his works.

“Visitors from outside Barishal often leave disappointed as the poet’s legacy is not properly preserved here,” one speaker said.

Jibanananda Das was described as not only a key figure in Bengali literature but also a distinctive voice in world literature. The role of researcher Clinton B Seely in introducing Jibanananda Das’ work to English-speaking readers was also acknowledged.

Other participants included Tunurani Karmakar, Apurba Gautam, Abul Kalam Azad, Shovon Karmakar, and Subhash Chandra Das.