Photo : BSS

CHITTAGONG UNIVERSITY, June 30, 2026 (BSS) - A discussion titled "Seminar on 
the Literary Works of Syed Waliullah and Ahmed Sofa" was held at the Bengali 
Department of Chittagong University (CU).

The day-long event, jointly organised by the CU Bengali Department and the 
Bangla Academy, was inaugurated at 10:00 am today by the university's Vice-
Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan.

Speaking as the chief guest, Dr. Al-Forkan said, "The two brilliant stars of 
Bangla literature are Syed Waliullah and Ahmed Sofa, who are the subjects of 
today's discussion. Even discussing them requires a certain level of 
competence. I have read Ahmed Sofa's 'Gavi Brittanta' many times."

"To truly appreciate the richness of the Bangla language, one must read the 
works of these literary figures. Reading just two of their books 'Lalsalu' 
and 'Gavi Brittanta' is enough to gain an understanding of their thoughts and 
philosophy," he added.

The inaugural session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Mohammod Anwar Sayed, chairman 
of the Bengali Department and moderated by Prof Dr. Sharmin Mustari. 

Special guests included Pro-VC (Academic) Prof Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin, Pro-VC 
(Admin) Prof Dr. Safiqul Islam, and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and 
Humanities Prof Dr. Md. Iqbal Shahin Khan.

Prof Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin said, "Both are distinguished writers. This 
morning, while reading the Holy Quran, I looked at my son's table and noticed 
that most of the books there were by Ahmed Sofa. Ahmed Sofa was an 
exceptionally powerful writer whose works profoundly moved readers. Syed 
Waliullah consistently wrote about social inequality and superstition and his 
contribution to social reform remains remarkable."

Prof Dr. Safiqul Islam said, "Syed Waliullah and Ahmed Sofa are two 
luminaries of Bangla literature. Waliullah consistently sought to eradicate 
social superstitions. I have read Ahmed Sofa's 'Jaddyapi Amar Guru', which 
vividly portrays the teacher-student relationship, politics and education of 
that era. Ahmed Sofa was an exceptionally gifted writer."

The inaugural session also featured a welcome address by Prof Dr. Mohammed 
Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan of the Department of Bengali and a greeting speech by 
Bangla Academy translator Mozaffar Hossain.

The first academic session featured a paper titled "Syed Waliullah in the 
Light of Mikhail Bakhtin," presented by former Prof Dr. Mohibul Aziz.

In his paper, Dr. Aziz stated, "Waliullah's novelistic art transcends 
artistic excellence and deserves evaluation within the framework of world 
literature. Rooted in local realities, his novels have been translated into 
several major foreign languages, earned critical acclaim and achieved 
international recognition."

"His precise and multi-layered portrayal of a long historical and social 
phase of East Bengal distinguishes him from all other novelists of Bangladesh 
writing in Bangla," he added.

Discussants in the session included Prof. Dr. Mohammad Gulam Mawla, chairman 
of the Department of Bengali at Cumilla University, CU Prof Dr. Mohammad 
Shekh Sadi and Dr. Makhon Chandra Roy.

The second session featured a paper titled "Ahmed Sofa's Pushpa, Brikkha O 
Bihanga Puran: A Narrative of the Interrelationship between Nature and 
Humanity," presented by Prof Dr. Alam Chowdhury of the Department of 
Political Science and Provost of AF Rahman Hall at CU.

In his paper, Dr. Chowdhury said, "Pushpa, Brikkha O Bihanga Puran is neither 
entirely fictional nor entirely real; rather, it is a synthesis that 
transcends both imagination and reality. Through its masterful narration, 
metaphors and language, it profoundly stirs the human mind. The narrative 
reveals the inseparable relationship between flowers, trees, birds and human 
life, enriching both the heart and the intellect simultaneously."

Poet, essayist and playwright Abhik Osman, along with Assistant Prof Mohammad 
Ali of the Department of Bengali and translator Mozaffar Hossain participated 
in the second session as discussants.