Remembering the late poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah, the National Poetry Council held its 51st regular poetry recital and discussion session on October 21 at Kajol Milonayaton, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka.
The event, dedicated to the poet’s 69th birth anniversary, brought together poets, writers and admirers to celebrate the enduring spirit of one of Bangladesh’s most revolutionary literary voices.
Attorney General and writer Mohammad Asaduzzaman, attending as chief guest, reflected on Rudra’s profound influence, “Rudra lives on. Poets like him never die as long as people dream of love and rebellion,” he said.
“I was in class 8 when I first read ‘Batashe Lasher Gondho’, it ignited something in me. Whenever I’m overwhelmed, I turn to Rudra or Helal Hafiz. Poetry, literature and music are the best tonics for the human spirit.”
The session was presided over by the Parishad’s president, poet Mohon Raihan, with Rudra’s younger brother, ophthalmologist Dr Saifullah, joining as special guest.
In his welcome remarks, Raihan remembered Rudra as both “a poet of defiance and a visionary cultural activist.” He said, “Rudra rose against colonial and autocratic oppression through his poetry. He was a founder of Sommilito Sangskritik Jote and the Jatiya Kabita Parishad. He was also my dearest friend, with whom I shared countless moments of joy, struggle and loss.”
Introducing the chief guest, Raihan praised Asaduzzaman’s journey as a student leader, writer and activist.
“He was my comrade during the anti-Ershad movement and remains one of the boldest literary voices today. His ‘Madhobi’ series on Facebook explores politics, society and emotions with remarkable depth,” Raihan said, adding that the writings will soon be compiled into a book for the Ekushey Book Fair.
Dr Saifullah shared personal memories of his brother, “Our father wanted Rudra to become a doctor, but he chose poetry instead. He was brilliant in science but drawn entirely to literature. Since Rudra couldn’t fulfill our father’s dream, I did.”
Poet Tushar Das, a close friend of Rudra, said, “You don’t pay tribute to friends, you love them. Rudra created an aura of intimacy and belonging that made forgetting him impossible. Like the fairs held to celebrate Lalon, there are now gatherings celebrating Rudra. No other poet in Bangladesh has inspired such devotion.”
Following the discussion, over 70 poets, including Rezauddin Stalin, Lili Haque, Golam Shafiq, Manjurur Rahman, Kamar Farid, Shyamal Zakaria, ABM Sohel Rashid, Nurunnabi Sohel, Tapan Roy, Camellia Ahmed, Asad Kajol, Diraj Mahmud, Yusuf Reza, Jamil Jahangir, Rokun Zahur, Moniruzzaman Rohan, Shimul Parveen, Afia Ruby, Shaheen Chowdhury, Kavya Rasel, Mithu Kabir and Taskina Yasmin recited their poetries.
Musical performances were presented by Mishu Das, a nutritionist at Saaol Heart Center and student of Chhayanaut, and poet Farhan Uddin, while Mehedi Hasan, Moniruzzaman Palash, Ananya Mahmud and Ishrat Jhimi recited Rudra’s poems.
The programme was jointly conducted by poets Moniruzzaman Rohan and Shimul Parveen.
