A seminar was held at the Poet Shamsur Rahman conference hall at Bangla Academy to honour Poet Alaol on Thursday. Bangla Academy acting director general Mohammad Anowar delivered the welcome speech. A speech titled Alaol’s Poetry was given by Professor Golam Mustafa. Bangla Academy President Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman chaired the seminar.
Mohammad Anowar said that Poet Alaol’s work has survived centuries and is still considered inportant today. The speaker at the event, Professor Golam Mustafa said that the 17th century Poet Alaol’s contribution to Bengali literature is undeniable. He further added that Alaol has been dubbed the Rabindranath of the 1600s. He used Hindi and Sanskrit words in his poetry translations as well. He is responsible for bringing new words and his unique thinking into Bengali literature.
In the closing speech, National Professor Anisuzzaman venerated Alaol was one of the greatest poets of medieval Bengali literature. He stated that along with Daulat Qazi, he is responsibe for the romantic revolution in Bengali poetry. While translating the legendary ‘Padmavat’ by Malik Muhammad Jayasi, Alaol’s original expressions became evident in the epic poem. ‘Padmavat’, along with his other works have created a lasting legacy for the 17th century poet.
