The 115th birth anniversary of poet Sufia Kamal was observed on Saturday with a day-long programme featuring a memorial lecture, award presentation and cultural events, organised by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
The programme was held at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy, where this year’s “Sufia Kamal Award” was presented to artist Md Abul Hashem Khan.
At the outset, guests and leaders of the organisation paid homage to Sufia Kamal by placing floral tributes at her portrait.
A documentary on her life and works, titled “Eki Labanye Purno Prane Janoni Sahashika, Kobi Sufia Kamal”, was also screened at the event.
Film director Shamim Akhtar shared her experience of making the documentary, highlighting efforts to document lesser-known aspects of Sufia Kamal’s life.
The programme was chaired by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Fowzia Moslem, who said Sufia Kamal should be introduced to new generations through fresh perspectives and language.
She said the poet’s life, philosophy and feminist thought remain highly relevant in the context of women’s dignity, rights and social transformation.
Fowzia Moslem further stressed the need for renewed recognition of Sufia Kamal’s contribution to women’s rights, political equality and the establishment of a secular society.
She described rising hatred, hostility and violence against women as a major social and political crisis, adding that ensuring women’s rights and safety is a collective responsibility of society.
Award recipient Abul Hashem Khan said Sufia Kamal’s popularity and acceptance were rooted in her deep humanism.
He said her inspiration continues to guide efforts against injustice and inequality.
He added that Sufia Kamal’s life offers important lessons for younger generations on courage, perseverance, humanity and social responsibility.
This year’s memorial lecture was delivered by Rezwana Karim Snigdha on the theme “Walking in the light of Sufia Kamal to end hatred, hostility and violence against women.”
She described Sufia Kamal as a radical architect of transformative feminism in Bangladesh and a moral feminist public intellectual.
Rezwana Karim Snigdha said Sufia Kamal’s radicalism lay not in overt political rhetoric but in building moral and cultural frameworks that established women as equal participants in knowledge, culture, public space and citizenship.
She said her work redefined women from passive subjects of sympathy into active agents of dignity and history.
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad General Secretary Maleka Banu also spoke at the event. The programme was moderated by Organisational Secretary Umme Salma Begum, while the cultural segment was conducted by Education and Cultural Secretary Khurshida Imam.
