Jibanananda Das remembered

Poems from all the seven collections of Jibanananda Das, the premier poet of the post-Tagore era in Bengal, were presented at a recitation programme on Saturday at Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium of Central Public Library, Dhaka.

Recitation troupe Srote Abritti Sangsad organised the programme to pay tribute to one of the most loved poets Jibananda Das marking his 58th death anniversary, which actually falls on October 22.

The programme titled ‘Jhara Palok Theke Agranthita Kobita’ featured 17 recitations. A portrait of the poet was hung on the backstage.

The programme began with the poem ‘Sahaj’ from Das’ first collection Jhara Palok (1927) recited by Ziauddin Sagar.

The audience became nostalgic when Saiful Islam began to recite Das’ landmark poem Banalata Sen from his book Banalata Sen. Anupa Biswas’ recitation of another popular poem Abar Asibo Phirey from the book Rupashi Bangla again delighted the audience.

The listeners became wistful and experienced a melancholic journey as soon as the presentation started with the line ‘Jakhan giyechhe dubey panchamir chand’ from the poem ‘Aat Bachhar Ager Ek Din,’ one of the greatest creations of the master poet. Masuduzzaman recited the poem from the book Mahaprithibi.

The troupe members also recited poems from Jibananda Das’ collections including Sat-ti Tarar Timir, Bela Abela Kalbela and Dhusar Pandulipi.

Moreover, his poems Money Porey Sei Kolkata and Agni, which had been published in different magazines, were presented in the programme.

The brief information about his volumes and his biography were narrated through background voice by Shanta Shraboni in between the recitations.

Srote Abritti Sangsad has been observing Jibanananda Das’ anniversaries since 2005.