Poetry Festival dedicated to Syed Shamsul Haq

A two-day poetry recitation festival, dedicated to versatile poet-novelist-playwright Syed Shamsul Haq, concluded on January 4 in Mymensingh. The event was organised at Town Hall Shaheed Minar premises.

Shabda Abritti Charcha Kendra, a local recitation forum, organised the festival marking its three-decade long journey. Eminent elocutionist Syed Hasan Imam inaugurated the event.

Prominent members present at the inaugural session included Deputy Commissioner of Mymensingh Md Khalilur Rahman, Mymensingh Police Superintendent Syed Nurul Islam, Bangladesh Abritti Samonnoy Parishad's (BASP) presidium member Isteqbal Hossain and advocate Moazzem Hossain.

Other participants at the festival were Golam Sarwar, Rafiqul Islam, Rezina Wali Lina, Md Ahkam Ullah, Masqur-a-Sattar and Majumder Biplob of BASP; Mir Barkat of Kanthashilon, Nazmul Hossain of Sanon, Masum Azizul Bashar of Trilok and Fayzullah Sayeed of Swarokompon in Dhaka; Abu Naser Malik of Karukantha in Comilla; Amjad Dulon of Kabial in Mymensingh; president of Mymensingh Sahitya Sangsad Yazdani Quraishy Kajol; poet Rubina Azad and Mujahidul Islam of Tarunyer Uchhash in Chittagong.

Shabda president Joydev Saha and its secretary Khan Sohana Kabir delivered the welcome speech. Group recitation sessions were directed by Md Saimul Haque and Moushumi Das Gupta. The festival included a colourful procession in the town, awarding crests, solo and group recitation.

Professor Amir Ahmed Chowdhury Ratan, president of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote Mymensingh unit, was awarded 'Shabda Padak' this year.