Noted poet Al Mujahidi was remembered at a seminar at the Bangla Academy on Wednesday, with speakers recalling his distinctive contribution to Bangla poetry and lifelong engagement with the soil, people and struggles of Bangladesh.

The Bangla Academy organised the seminar at 4pm at the Kobi Shamsur Rahman Seminar Room of the academy.

Bangla Academy Secretary Dr Md Selim Reza delivered the welcome address, while poet and essayist Dr Mahbub Hasan presented a paper titled ‘Mrittikar Kobi Al Mujahidi’.

National Press Club President and poet Hasan Hafiz and Dainik Jugantor Editor and poet Abdul Hai Shikder took part in the discussion. Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam chaired the event.

The programme began with a one-minute silence in memory of the late poet.

"Al Mujahidi is an unforgettable name in Bangla poetry. In his poems, the soil and people of this country have been illuminated with exceptional artistry," Dr Selim Reza said.

Presenting his paper, Dr Mahbub Hasan said, "One way to know Al Mujahidi is through his poetry. His inner world is reflected there, and we can experience its fragrance."

He said Al Mujahidi devoted himself to a long poetic journey through his works on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"It began in 1963 with ‘Kaado Hiroshima, Kaado Nagasaki’, written while he was imprisoned at Dhaka Central Jail," he said.

"From 1988 to 1999, he sharpened his pen to portray the brutality of imperialist destruction and crimes against humanity. This poetic journey proves how, with immense vitality, he used his sharp thoughts against the naked violence of human history," Dr Mahbub said.

Referring to Al Mujahidi’s widely recognised identity as the ‘poet of the soil’, Dr Mahbub said, "He created the soil in his poetry in many ways and in many forms. He felt a profound attraction towards that primordial soil from which this earth was formed, as well as towards the golden gateways of Gaur and the attics of civilisation."

"Although he sometimes spoke of living among heaps of stars, ultimately he spoke of returning to the soil," he added.

The discussants said Al Mujahidi was simultaneously a poet, translator, essayist, editor and intellectual fighter who gave Bangladesh and its people distinctive expression through his poetry.

They said he portrayed the fighting spirit and unique heritage of the people of this land throughout his literary career. As the literary editor of Dainik Ittefaq for many years, he also played a legendary role in nurturing and guiding many talented writers.

They further stated that the fearless fighter of the national liberation struggle consistently used his poetic voice to speak of peace, humanity, equality and a modernity rooted in the soil.

Poet’s daughter Paroma Al Mujahidi said, "My father always illuminated the country and its people through his poetry. Undoubtedly, his literary works will inspire the new generation in language, literature and patriotism."

Professor Mohammad Azam said, "Al Mujahidi was a unique personality in the field of poetry in Bangladesh. Alongside illuminating indigenous modernity in his poetry, he also explored foreign mythology for expressions of human fellowship."

"He left his distinctive mark through prose writings on poetry, translations of important poems from different languages into Bangla, and children’s literature," he said.

"His contribution to the history of literary magazine editing in this country can never be forgotten," Bangla Academy Director General added.

Sayera Habib, Bangla Academy Deputy Director, moderated the programme.