Cultural programmes and discussions recalling on life and achievements of poet Abu Zafar Obaidullah was held in his native district Barisal on Saturday night.

The programme was organised by district administration at Ashwini Kumar Hall of the city and presided over by Shohidul Alam, deputy commissioner Barisal.

Advocate Manabendra Batobayal and SM Iqbal, two veteran cultural activists of the city, were accorded reception at the programme and a young painters' competition was also held on this occasion.

It was addressed among others by lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon, brother of the poet; Advocate Talukdar Md. Yunus, Advocate Tipu Sultan, AL and WP lawmakers, Dr. Ranjit Kumar Biswas, secretary cultural ministry and Md. Gaus, divisional commissioner.

Speakers of the programme said Obaidullah was a prominent figure of the language movement and played a seminal role in Bangladesh's literature and culture.