The 123rd birth anniversary of famous poet and litterateur Jasimuddin, widely revered as the ‘Polli Kobi’, is being observed on Thursday.

The poet was born on this day in 1903 at his maternal uncle’s house in Tambulkhana village in Faridpur district.

UNB Faridpur correspondent reports: On the occasion of the day, floral tributes were paid at the poet’s grave around 10:30 am by the district administration, Jasim Foundation, Press Club and several cultural and social organisations.

Later, a milad and doa mahfil was held at the venue.

Among those present were Deputy Commissioner Kamrul Hasan Mollah, Superintendent of Police Nazrul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sohrab Hossain, Ramananda Pal, Press Club President Kabirul Islam Siddiqui, Professor MA Samad and Mafiz Imam Milon.

Later, people from all walks of life and members of different cultural and social organisations paid their respect to the poet.

Two of his legendary works, ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ (Field of the Embroidered Quilt) and ‘Sojan Badiar Ghat’ (Gypsy Wharf) are considered two masterpieces in Bengali literature and has been globally translated.

Being a versatile writer, Jasimuddin is also respectfully remembered for his numerous other creative works including poems, ballads, songs, dramas, novels, stories, memoirs, travelogues and more.

As an esteemed lyricist, Jasimuddin penned many popular Bengali songs including “Amar sonar moyna pakhi,” “Prano shokhi re,” “Amay eto raate,” “Nishithe jaiyo fulobone,” “Amar haar kala korlam re,” “Amay bhaisaili re,” and others.

For his remarkable literary works, Jasimuddin was awarded the President's Award for Pride of Performance in 1958, DLitt. by Rabindra Bharati University, India in 1969, Ekushey Padak in 1976 and Independence Day Award (posthumously) in 1978.

In January 2018, Bangla Academy announced Jasimuddin Literary Award, a biennial award to be given for lifetime contribution to Bangla literature.

Jasim Uddin was born on January 1, 1903, at his maternal grandfather’s house in Tambulkhana village under Kaijuri Union on the outskirts of Faridpur.

His father, Ansar Uddin Mollah, was a schoolteacher and his mother was Amina Khatun.

He studied at Faridpur Welfare School and later at Faridpur District School now Faridpur Zilla School and passed the entrance examination in 1921.

He completed his BA and MA in Bangla from the University of Calcutta in 1929 and 1931 respectively.

Jasim Uddin died on March 14, 1976.