Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Nov 22, 2025 (BSS) – Marking the 64th birthday of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy director general poet Rezauddin Ahmed Stalin, the National Poetry Council observed the day with a special commemoration event in the capital this evening.

The event began at 5.30 pm with rendition of songs.

Poet Matin Bairagi, poet Hasan Hafiz, poet and academic Salimullah Khan, lyricist Shahidullah Farayezi and noted lighting artist Nasir Ali Mamun, along with prominent poets, writers, intellectuals, journalists and cultural figures from across the country were present at the event.

Mohon Rayhan, president of the National Poet Council, delivered the welcome speech at the event. He said the council is proud to organise the poet’s birthday celebration.

He addressed Stalin as a poet of love and humanity who embraces people, loves the land, the climate and the culture of Bangladesh, and writes not for titles or positions but purely out of devotion to people.

“Stalin never sought prestige, he has earned honours at various times solely through the strength of his work and the affection of readers. The large attendance at the event is the proof of the public’s deep admiration for him,” Mohan Rayhan said.

Expressing gratitude to the council, poet Stalin said,“We started the National Poet Council in 1987 through the movement against the autocrat Ershad, and you will notice that at that time the political parties were very silent.”

“When the National Poetry Council began the movement against dictatorship, thousands of people used to gather under the banner at the TSC at those events. And then leaders of all political parties came and united with us,” he said.

Noting the poem and poets’ contribution to eliminate and fight fascism, Stalin said, “Today, in this changed situation, the National Poetry Council has been reorganised, and once again we are continuing the movement against fundamentalism, against dictatorship, against oppression, so that no one in the future can establish any anti-democratic system in Bangladesh.”

Several other organizations related to culture and literature greeted the poet with floral bouquets  at the event wishing him good health and long life.

Through the event, the Council paid tribute to Stalin’s enduring contributions to Bangla poetry.