Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury on Sunday said that poetry remains a powerful force of resistance and awakening, urging cultural practitioners to uphold the spirit of Ekushey in building a humane and progressive Bangladesh.
The message was delivered while the Cultural Affairs Minister was speaking at the ‘Ekushe’r Kobita’ poetry recital, organised to mark Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day, at the National Art Gallery Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Sunday (February 22) afternoon.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam attended as special guest, while Director General of the academy, poet Rezauddin Stalin, presided over the programme. BSA Secretary Mohammad Zakir Hossain was also present at the event.
In his speech, Nitai Roy Chowdhury paid tribute to the students, poets, artists and citizens who sacrificed their lives in July, praying for eternal peace for their souls. Referring to the historic role of poetry during the 1971 Liberation War, he said poems and songs had inspired the nation in its armed struggle for independence.
“Poetry does not only make us weep, it awakens people. Poetry is a powerful source of protest against injustice,” he said, drawing parallels between the Liberation War and the recent youth-led movement of 2024.
Nitai Roy Chowdhury described the 2024 movement as a spontaneous uprising of students from Dhaka University and other institutions who, beyond partisan affiliations, fought for sovereignty and democracy.
“In a world increasingly marked by conflict and division, Bangladesh can demonstrate that humanity and peace are its true strengths,” the Minister said, expressing hope for building a happy, prosperous, progressive, modern and secular nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam said the Ministry aims to make the cultural sphere more dynamic as part of a renewed national journey. He called upon cultural activists to act as partners in fostering humanism, social welfare and a cultural renaissance across the country.
The recital began with poet Matin Bairagi and elocutionist Tito Munshi. Poets Mohan Raihan and Rezauddin Stalin later recited their works. The programme featured an extensive line-up of poets and recitation artists, including Seema Islam, Hasan Hafiz, Mahbub Hasan, Farhana Trina, Shahabuddin Nagori, Jahangir Firoz, Proma Aziz, Sakhawat Tipu, Rafique Hasan, Jahan Bashir, Zakir Abu Zafar, Shaheen Chowdhury, Enamul Haque Jewel, ABM Sohel Rashid, Asad Kajal and Farzana Eli, among others.
Hosted by Kazi Bushra Ahmed Tithi, the event also included performances by Junan Nashit, Camelia Ahmed, Aditya Nazrul, Iqbal Alam, Abid Azam, Shakil Mahmud, Mahinur Mumu, Jabbar Al Naim, Imran Mahfuz, Mahbubur Rahman Tun, Junnu Rain, Rokon Zohor and Mahi Farhana Alam.
Ekushe’r Kobita marked the first visit of the Cultural Affairs Minister and the State Minister of the newly elected government to Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
