Cultural Correspondent
Bangla Academy celebrated its 58th founding anniversary in the city on Tuesday amid much enthusiasm and funfare.
On this occasion, Bangla Academy held a daylong celebration programme featuring discussion and cultural evening.
Bangla Academy launched its celebrations in the morning through laying a wreath at the altar of the Central Shahid Minar to pay tributes to the martyrs of 1952 language movement.
With President of the academy Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman in the chair, a discussion was held at its Poet Shamsur Rahman Seminar Room in the afternoon.
Prominent historian and educatinist Prof Sirajul Islam delivered founding anniversary speech entitled ’Markin Juktarastre Prachyabidya Chorcha 1785-1820’ on the occasion.
In the wake of the discussion, renowned singers Rabeya Basri and Farhana Shirin enthralled the audience by rendering some hit songs at the programme anchored by Dr Shahadat Hossain Nipu.
Bangla Academy is the national academy for promoting Bangla language in the country. The importance of establishing an organisation for Bangla language was first emphasised by linguist Dr Muhammad Shahidullah.
Later on, the All Party National Language Committee decided to demand establishment of an organisation for the promotion of Bengali language following the Language movement.
During the 1954 parliamentary elections, the United Front’s 21 point manifesto stated that, “The prime minister from the United Front will dedicate the Bardhaman House for establishing a research centre for Bengali language”.
Following the election success of the Front, the education minister Syed Azizul Haque placed the order to fulfil the promise.
As a result, the government formed a committee to expedite the process in 1955. The committee was comprised of leading intellectuals like Dr Muhammad Shahidullah, Dr Qazi Motahar Hossain, Dr SM Bhattacharya, Dr WH Shadani and Muhammad Barkatullah.
Abu Hossain, the then Prime Minister, inaugurated the Bangla Academy on December 3, 1955.
Source: Weekly Holiday
