Three -day literary and cultural conference ends in Manikganj

The three-day international literature and cultural conference recently ended at Manikganj Government Boys' High School play ground with cultural functions and a discussion.

Manikganj Sahitya O Sangskritik Parishad in Dhaka and Manikganj district administration jointly organised the event to observe the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Dineshchandra Sen, a Bengali writer, educationist, researcher of Bengali folklore and historian of Bengali literature.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith formally inaugurated the conference as chief guest while journalist Abul Moksud was the main speaker. Renowned singers Kiron Chandra Roy, Sayedur Rahman Boyati, Afroza Sultana Rubi and Abul Bashar Abbasi and several local singers rendered solo songs while Shima Islam recited. Artistes of Mukul Nrityakala Sangathan staged danc-drama “Mohua”, written by Dr. Dineshchandra Sen at the inaugural ceremony.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor was present as chief guest on the second day of the programme while senior secretary of finance ministry Mahbub Ahmed; chairman of Bangladesh Commerce Bank Arastu Khan and director of FBCCI Tabarakul Tosaddek Hossain Khan were the special guests. Former vice-chancellor of Rabindrabharati University of India presented papers on “Dineshchandra Sen: Life and Work”.

State minister for Health and Family Welfare Zahid Malek was present as chief guest at the concluding function where former lawmaker SM Abdul Mannan and president of Garpara Imambari Darbar Shah Sufi Mokhlesur Rahman were the special guests. Professor Dr. Syed Azizul Haque of DU presented papers on “Role of Dineshchandra Sen on Folk Literature” while Professor Dr. Mezbah Kamal of DU and Jharna Rahman took part in a discussion. Singers Rumana Islam, Afroza Sultana Rubi, Ishtiak and local singers performed solo songs while artistes of Shilparath performed dances. Mukul Nrityakala Sangathan staged “Nakshi Kanthar Math”.

Rashida Ferdouse, convener of the celebration committee and deputy commissioner of Manikganj, presided over the three day function.

Dineshchandra Sen,who won much recognition,  played an important role as a creative writer. Apart from writing research-oriented and historical books on Bangla literature, composing narratives based on the Puranas, editing folk literature and writing history of the Bangalees, he wrote poems, novels and short stories. He wrote a total of 60 books.