Program on Al Mahmud at Shaheed Minar first time

A commemoration and recitation program titled ‍‍Al Mahmud in Revolution and Spring‍‍ was organized for the first time at the central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

On the occasion of the 6th death anniversary of poet Al Mahmud, Kaler Kalas organized the program yesterday. Cultural Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was present as the inaugurator of the program yesterday.

At that time, he announced to set up a museum at the poet‍‍`s house. In addition, he also expressed keenness to present the Swadhinata Padak to the poet.

Al Mahmud Foundation Secretary and Kaler Kalas Editor, writer and journalist Abid Azam spoke at the program.

Expressing his anger over the poet‍‍`s death anniversary not being observed by the state, Abid Azam said that Al Mahmud was greatly despised and ignored during the fascist regime. Many of Al Mahmud‍‍`s poems have greatly inspired people in the July Uprising. But we were supposed to respect him on a national level.

He demanded that the poet‍‍`s writing textbooks be immediately restored and the Al Mahmud Institute to be established for literary research.

Meanwhile, cultural Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said then in his speech that if the family agrees, a memorial museum will be established at the poet Al Mahmud‍‍`s house in Brahmanbaria.

He said that the poet Al Mahmud is very important in Bengali literature. It is important to preserve and spread the memory of his works for the next generation. We are interested in this issue. Although it is slow, the government after the mass uprising will take this issue seriously.

The Cultural Advisor added that Al Mahmud started writing under the hegemony of Kolkata. For four decades, politics was behind the so-called mainstream literature of cultural hegemonists, not allowing Al Mahmud to enter the literature. Al Mahmud does not belong to any political party. He is a great poet of Bengali language.

The event was chaired by poet Abdul Hai Sikder when poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar was present as the chief guest.

Farhad Mazhar said that Al Mahmud appeared in a very important and exemplary manner in the July Uprising. His thoughts must be spread. The July Movement proved that we are not asleep. We are awake and will face any crisis in the country together, and if the Ministry of Culture is strengthened, such tasks will be easier for us.

He said that a cultural fight is inevitable so that the revolution of 24 does not fall by the wayside, artists, poets, and cultural workers must prepare for this fight.

Emran Mahfuz, literary editor of the Daily Star, poet and writer, said that the fascist government wanted to stop culture, but they did not succeed at all. They had to flee the country. If anyone try to do this as well as wants to stop the voice of the people, they will also face the similar fate.

He also said, Al-Mahmud became more relevant after he had passed away. He was oppressed and denied by the fascist regime. But he is still in our struggle, in our consciousness. It is the responsibility of everyone, including the government, to preserve the homes and memories of such personality.

In the president‍‍`s speech, poet Abdul Hai Sikder demanded immediate state renovation of the grave of poet Al Mahmud. He strongly criticized the poet‍‍`s not being allowed to be brought to the Shaheed Minar after his death and not being honored statewide.

Among others, Ekushey Padak-winning photographer Nasir Ali Mamun, Jatiyo Kabita Parishad Joint Secretary poet Shahin Reza, poet Zakir Abu Zafar, Dr. Qudrat-e-Huda, Dr. Kajal Rashid Shahin, Artists Amirul Mominin Manik and Jannatun Naeem Pinky performed Al Mahmud‍‍`s songs at the event.

Poetry was recited at the event by Shimul Parvin, Kamrul Hasan Jewel, Mukta Barman, Farah Dolan, Kartho Hasan, Musa Akhand, M Tarek Hasib, Moniruzzaman Palash and many others. 

Earlier, the event began with the recitation of Fateha and a minute of silence for the souls of the martyrs of the July Revolution, hosted by poet and reciter Shakil Mahmud and Mushfika Nipa.