Russians in Moscow and other cities brought flowers to Ukrainian poets and held one-person pickets with antiwar slogans Friday to mark the first anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Russian media and civil rights groups reported at least a dozen detentions, part of the Kremlin's sweeping crackdown on dissent that has spiked to unprecedented levels since the start of the war. At least eight people were detained in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city, according to OVD-Info, a legal aid group that tracks political arrests. They all had brought flowers to the city’s monument to victims of political repression, the group said. Online news outlet Sota filmed at least seven people getting detained in St. Petersburg after they brought flowers to a monument for the renowned Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. Footage posted by the outlet showed a police officer explaining to a couple that they had violated coronavirus restrictions. Sota also reported a person detained in Moscow, where people flocked to the monument of Lesya Ukrainka, another renowned Ukrainian poet, to lay flowers. A contingent of police officers monitored the group but left mostly didn't interrupt. Also Read: Pregnant Russians flock to Argentina seeking new passports Five people were detained in the Siberian city of Barnaul, according to the Sibir.Realii news outlet, including a man who picketed a central square with a placard reading “Stop being silent.” In another Siberian city, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, a woman was detained for protesting with a banner that read, “We’re mourning. Forgive us, we screwed up our country,” the outlet reported. Russians all across the country actively protested against the war in Ukraine during the first week of the invasion. Large rallies quickly fizzled after thousands were detained, but solo pickets -- and detentions -- have persisted throughout the year. Russian authorities have enforced a law enacted soon after the invasion that effectively criminalizes any public expression against what the Kremlin refers to as a “special military operation” in Ukraine. The Russian parliament rubber-stamped a bill that outlawed discrediting the Russian military or spreading false information a week after Moscow's troops rolled into Ukraine. OVD-Info said in a statement Friday that “for 305 out of 365 days of the war, security forces detained people for their anti-war position in various cities of Russia and the annexed Crimea.” As of mid-December, the group had counted 378 people facing criminal prosecution for their antiwar positions in 69 Russian regions and the Crimean Peninsula that Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014. The group also counted more than 5,500 administrative cases on the charge of discrediting the Russian army.  

Ekushey Padak winning eminent poet Quazi Rosy passed away early Sunday after failing her battle with COVID-19. She was 73. She was taken to Square Hospital in the capital on January 30 and was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) the following day, according to her daughter Sumi Sikandar. The poet had been suffering from multi-organ disease, kidney complications and was put on life support on January 31. She tested positive for COVID-19 in between the time and was taken to the isolation unit of the ICU. Rosy was born on January 1, 1949 in Satkhira. She completed her BA and MA in Bengali Literature from the University of Dhaka. She then started her career by joining the government service and retired as an officer from the Press Information Department (PID) in 2007.  She was elected as a Member of Parliament in the reserved women's seat at the 10th parliamentary election in 2014. A valiant freedom fighter and forever advocate against the genocide of 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, Rosy testified as the 4th witness against convicted war criminal and former Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Molla in 2013 at at International Crimes Tribunal. READ: Iconic Bengali Singer Sandhya Mukherjee Dies At 90 Rosy's illustrated literary career began after she started writing poetry in the 1960s. "Pathghat Manusher Naam," "Noshto Jowar," "Amar Piran-er Kono Maap Nei," "Lorai," "Martyr Poet Meherun Nesa" (Biography Book), Rabindranath: Poetry of Humor (Research Book) are some of her major literary publications. For her contributions in the field of Bangladeshi poetry and literature, Quazi Rosy was awarded the Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian honor in Bangladesh in 2021. She also received the Bangla Academy Literary Award (2016), Anannya Literary Award (2013) and many other significant literary awards in her glorious career. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Quazi Rosy.  

Saturday marks the 93rd birthday anniversary of poet, writer and journalist Shamsur Rahman, widely regarded as a pivotal figure in Bengali literature from the latter part of the twentieth century. The Ekushey Padak winning litterateur was born on October 23, 1929, in old Dhaka in then British Bengal to Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury and Amena Khatun. The legendary poet’s birth anniversary is being observed through numerous events by cultural organisations. READ: Bangla Academy commemorates poet Shamsur Rahman’s 91st Birth Anniversary Marking the occasion, Bangla Academy will hold a solo lecture session on Sunday at the Academy's Poet Shamsur Rahman Seminar Room. Prominent researcher and poet Prof Khaled Hossain will present the keynote lecture at the event. Secretary of Bangla Academy AHM Lokman will deliver the welcome address, and poet Muhammad Nurul Huda, the director general of Bangla Academy, will preside over the function. Poet Shamsur's ancestral home is in Paratali village of Narsingdi district. After graduating with an honours in English literature from the University of Dhaka in 1953, he began his career as a journalist in Daily Morning News in 1956.  He joined Radio Pakistan as a programme producer the following year and worked there till 1959. After his stint in Radio Pakistan, he returned to Daily Morning News as a senior sub-editor and worked there from 1960-1964. Before the 1971 Liberation War, Shamsur joined Daily Pakistan as an Assistant Editor in 1964. The newspaper was renamed Dainik Bangla after the Independence of Bangladesh, where he worked till 1977. READ: Poet Shamsur Rahman’s 13th Death Anniversary observed From 1977-1987, Shamsur worked as the Editor of Dainik Bangla and Weekly Bichitra. Widely revered as one of the most famous Bangladeshi poets, Shamsur penned 66 poetry books in his lifetime. He started penning poems at the age of 18, and continued till his death on August 17, 2006. His famous poem, 'Asad-er Shirt' was written during the mass uprising of 1969 led by Maulana Bhasani. During the 1971 Liberation War, he wrote a number of poems, inspiring the freedom fighters which were later published in his poetry collection ‘Bondi Shibir Theke’ (From Confinement in Enemy Territory) in 1972. 'Shadhinota Tumi' (Ode to Freedom) is one of his most inspiring poems, dedicated to the 1971 Liberation War heroes. He has authored other literary creations too, including short stories and novels. For his contribution in the field of Bengali literature, Shamsur received many prestigious awards, including Bangla Academy Literary Award (1969), Ekushey Padak (1977) and Independence Day Award (1991).

Monday marks the 5th death anniversary of the Ekushey Padak and Independence Award-winning writer, playwright and poet Syed Shamsul Haq. The day is being observed by different organisations through various events including remembrance lecture programmes, book launch events, cultural shows and more. Kurigram district administration alongside some other different cultural and educational institutions  brought out a  procession and placed floral wreaths on Haq’s grave on Kurigram Government College campus at 9 am. Later, Kurigram Press Club arranged a discussion programme at Syed Shamsul Haq Milanayatan at 12 pm. Read:Writer Syed Shamsul Haque remembered in Kurigram Prothoma Prokashon, a renowned publishing firm, will launch Syed Shamsul Haq's novel titled ‘Patan’ at the National Art Gallery auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) at 5 pm. Besides, publishing house Oitijjhya will publish Haq's translation work ‘Quraner Marmanubad’, Journeyman will publish the collection of his essays titled ‘Drishyantari Manushera,’ Ananya will publish ‘Aynabibir Pala’ and Nabanna Prokashoni will publish ‘Muktijuddher Kabita,’ a collection of poems based on Mymensingh Geetika. Haq was born in Kurigram on December 27, 1935 to Syed Siddique Husain, a homoeopathic physician, and Halima Khatun. He began writing at a young age, and before completing his matriculation exams, he had written over 200 poems. He enrolled in the English Department at Dhaka University but did not complete his studies. In 1951, Haq published his debut story titled "Udayasta," in Fazle Lohani-edited literary journal ‘Agatya’. In the same year, he moved to Mumbai, India, to pursue a career as a film director but returned to Dhaka after just a few days, to focus on writing. Creating a new literary trend in the contemporary Bengali drama, Haq  wrote popular verse plays such as “Nuruldiner Sara Jibon,” “Payer Awaj Paoa Jay,” “Ekhane Ekhon,” “Irsha,” “Banglar Mati Banglar Jol” and others. Also earning a remarkable reputation for novel, he penned many popular and well-acclaimed novels including “Nishiddho Loban,” “Stobdhotar Anubad,” “Baro Diner Jibon,” “Tumi Sei Torbari,” “Simana Chhariye,” “Neel Dangshan,” “Koyekti Manusher Sonali Joubon,” “Nirbasita,” “Khelaram Khele Ja,” “Megh o Machine,” “Brishti o Bidrohigan,” “Swapno Songkranto,” and more. He wrote several collections of poems including “Birotiheen Utsob,” “Ekoda Ek Rajye,” “Baishakhe Rochito Pangktimala,” “Protidhwonigon,” “Poraner Gohin Bhitor,” Agni o Joler Kabita,” “Ek Ashcharja Songramer Smriti,” Kabita Somogro” in three volumes and others. As a prolific lyricist, Haq penned hundreds of playback songs, including “Hayre Manush Rongin Phanush,” “Emon Moja Hoy Na,” “Tumi Ashbe Bole Kachhe Dakbe Bole,” “Chander Sathe Ami Debo Na Tomar Tulona” and more. Besides, he also wrote many screenplays for mainstream films. Read:Writer Syed Shamsul Haque remembered in Kurigram Often considered one of the best translators in Bangladesh, Haq  translated many popular western classics including William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth,’ ‘Hamlet,’ ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Troilus and Cressida,’ to name a few. For his influential role in the literature, Syed Shamsul Haq received Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1964, only at the age of 29. The litterateur also received two of the highest state awards - the Ekushey Padak in 1984 and the Independence Award in 2000. He passed away on September 27, 2016 at the United Hospital in the capital, at the age of 81 after suffering from critical lungs disease. He is survived by his wife Dr Anwara Syed Haq, son Ditio Syed-Haq, daughter Bidita Sadi and a host of relatives, well-wishers, fans and admirers.

Friday marked the 45th death anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered for his limitless contribution to Bengali literature. To commemorate the life and works of the rebel poet, different organisations and institutions organised multiple programmes throughout the day. In the morning, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs paid its tribute to the poet by placing floral wreaths on his grave beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Monsur, Bangla Academy Director General Nurul Huda, Bangla Academy Secretary AHM Lokman, Kabi Nazrul Institute Executive Director Mohammad Zakir Hossain all paid tributes to the rebel poet. Also read: Chhayanaut's 4-day virtual tribute to Nazrul concludes Around 10am, a webinar was organised by Kabi Nazrul Institute, followed by a cultural programme. The online programmes -- streamed live on the institute’s Facebook page -- was joined by Khalid as the chief guest while Secretary Mansur and Kazi Nazrul's granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi were virtually present as special guests. Kabi Nazrul Institute’s trustee board member Sayeda Motahara Banu and Cultural Affairs Additional Secretary Manirul Alam also participated in the discussions at the virtual programme, presided over by the institute’s Executive Director Mohammad Zakir Hossain. Dhaka University also organised a virtual event at 10.30 in the morning. Presided over by Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, the programme was joined by National Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam. Bangla Academy is also slated to hold a virtual event on its Facebook page at 4pm, which will be joined by Khalid as the chief guest. The event will be chaired by Bangla Academy Chairman, National Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam, while Director General Nurul Huda will deliver the welcome speech.   Professor Syed Azizul Huq will read an essay at the event, while Professor Khaled Hossain will participate in the discussion. Also read: Jaago Nari: Arnob's tryst with Nazrul geeti The country’s leading cultural institution, Chhayanaut will also stream an online programme, ‘Milone Birohe Nazrul’, on its Facebook group and YouTube channel at 9pm. Besides, several television channels, radio stations and online platforms will broadcast special programmes commemorating the life and works of Kazi Nazrul. Known and regarded as the ‘rebel poet’ for his iconoclastic and majestic literary creations, Kazi Nazrul was born in Churulia village of Burdwan in the Indian state of West Bengal in 1899. According to the Nazrul Institute, Kazi Nazrul wrote 2,600 songs, 600 poetry, three novels, and 43 articles in a career spanning 21 years before losing his speech. After the death of his father, Kazi Nazrul obtained a job as a caregiver and also worked as a muezzin at a mosque to support his family. At the age of nine, he had to drop out of school to join a Churulia-based professional ‘leto' company. He was introduced to Bangali and Sanskrit literature while working for the group. He returned to school a year later and enrolled at Matharun English School, but dropped out again in Class VI due to poverty. After a while, police officer Kazi Rafizullah took him in at his home in Trishal, Mymensingh, and enrolled him in Class VII at Darirampur School. Serving the British Army in 1917 as a soldier, Kazi Nazrul started his literary career within a few years. His cult-classic poem ‘Bidrohi’ (The Rebel) was published in 1921. A year later, he started a fortnightly magazine named ‘Dhumketu’ (The Comet). His nationalist participation in the Indian Independence Movement landed him in the hands of colonial British authorities on several occasions.  While in prison, Kazi Nazrul authored the 'Rajbandir Jabanbandi' (Deposition of a Political Prisoner), and his creations later encouraged Bangladesh Liberation War. Freedom, humanity, love and revolution are the constant themes in Kazi Nazrul's majestic literary creations. He was against all sorts of religious, caste-based, and gender-based discrimination and extremism. He wrote short stories, novels and essays, but his songs and poems are his most critically acclaimed literary creations. He popularised Bengali ghazal melodies, and is noted for his liberal usage of Arabic and Persian terms in his writings. Kazi Nazrul created a new genre in music called ‘Nazrul Geeti’, a collection of 4,000 songs that he wrote and created the music for, many of which were recorded on HMV. In 1942, Kazi Nazrul began to lose his voice and memory due to an unexplained ailment. Later, a medical team in Vienna identified his illness as Pick's disease, a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease. His family travelled to Bangladesh at the invitation of then Bangladeshi government and settled down in Dhaka in 1972. For his iconic contribution to Bangla literature and culture, Dhaka University awarded him an honorary post-doctoral degree in 1974. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1976.  Kazi Nazrul breathed his last in Dhaka on August 29, 1976.

The 80th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European and Bengali poet to win the Nobel Prize in literature, is being observed on Friday. According to the Gregorian calendar, Tagore died at the age of 80 on August 7 in 1941, but his death anniversary is traditionally observed on 22nd Srabon according to the Bengali calendar. Since his death, the day has always been observed with extensive programmes in a befitting manner as a tradition in both Bangladesh and India. However, because of the ongoing pandemic and the consequent shutdown, the day is being commemorated with online events this year. Several cultural organisations and government-non government institutions are paying their respective tributes with virtual events, featuring several noted artists, Tagore enthusiasts and scholars. Also read: Remembering Tagore, the polymath who reshaped Bengali literature & music Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) began the day by streaming live on its Facebook page a virtual programme at 10 am. The event, titled 'Apon Majhe Shokti Dhoro, Nijeke Koro Joy', features discussions and cultural performances. Several cultural personalities, including Syed Hasan Imam and Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, have been roped in by BSA. Bangla Academy will also pay its tribute with an online programme, to be streamed live on its Facebook page at 4 pm. KM Khalid, State Minister for Cultural Affairs, will join the event as the chief guest while eminent novelist Selina Hossain will present the keynote speech. Newly elected Director General of Bangla Academy, Mohammad Nurul Huda will deliver the welcome speech and the event will be presided over by National Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam. Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi will stream a Facebook live programme at 7.30 pm. The online event will feature songs, dance, recitation, and discussions, and it will be joined by Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, Azizul Huq, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi General Secretary Jamshed Anwar Tapan, and Assistant General Secretary Iqbalul Haque Khan, besides others. Also read: Japanese documentary ‘’Tagore Songs’’ screened virtually Bangladesh Sangeet Sangathan Samannay Parishad will stream an online event on Saturday at 8 pm. The event will feature Tagore songs and discussions featuring singer Roquaiya Hasina, Khairuzzaman Kaiyum, and Soma Rani Ray will entertain viewers rendering Tagore songs. The country's leading cultural institution, Chhayanaut will broadcast an online programme, titled 'Shraboner Amontrone' on its Facebook page and YouTube channel at 9 pm. The event will feature recorded videos of Tagore songs, rendered by prominent Rabindra Sangeet exponents. Besides, different TV channels, radio stations, and other online platforms will telecast special programmes marking the death anniversary of Tagore. The youngest of the 13 surviving children of Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi, Rabindranath Tagore was born on 25th Baishakh, 1268, in Bengali calendar (May 7, 1861, according to the Gregorian calendar) in Jorasanko mansion of Calcutta, then in British India. Also referred to as the "Bard of Bengal", Tagore composed over 2,000 songs which created a separate genre known as ‘Tagore songs’ in both the Bengals. Besides, he penned a total of eight novels, 84 short stories, and an uncountable number of poems in his prolific literary career spanning almost seven decades. He envisioned and founded the Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan in 1921 in order to spread the practice of culture and literature in the broader sphere and create future artists and literateurs for ages.  For his anthology of lyrical ballads ‘Gitanjali’ (Song Offerings), Tagore received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 as the first Bengali and Non-European poet. Bangladesh's national anthem 'Amar Shonar Bangla' and India's 'Jana Gana Mana' were written by him.

The government has appointed poet Mohammad Nurul Huda as the new Director General (DG) of Bangla Academy, according to a ministry of public administration circular on Monday. Nurul Huda will serve in the position for a period of 3 years from the date of joining on condition he resigns from other organizations. The post fell vacant after its DG Habibullah Sirajee died of cancer on May 24. Since then AHM Lokman, secretary of the academy, has been in charge as acting director general. READ: Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Sirajee passes away Nurul Huda earlier served as the executive director of Nazrul Institute. He is currently the member secretary of the Nazrul Birth Centenary Celebration Committee at the national level. The DG post at Bangla Academy fell vacant after its DG Habibullah Sirajee died of cancer on May 24.  READ: Bangla Academy Chairman Shamsuzzaman Khan loses battle with Covid-19

Bangladesh-born legendary Indian poet Sankha Ghosh, widely known by his pen name Kuntak, died at home in the eastern city of Kolkata on Wednesday (April 21, 2021) morning. He was 89. Ghosh passed away around 11.30 am on Wednesday, barely a week after contracting coronavirus, his family said. The poet was in home isolation since April 14 when he tested positive for Covid-19. He was put on life support on Monday (April 19, 2021)  after his condition worsened. In fact, the eminent poet had been suffering from age-related ailments for a while. In January this year, he was briefly hospitalised. Read Kabori: The doyen of Bangladeshi cinema departs Born at Chandpur in present-day Bangladesh and brought up in West Bengal, Ghosh belonged to the era of Bengali poets after Jibanananda Das. Dinaguli Rataguli and Nihita Patalachaya are some of his celebrated works that have been translated into English. He is also the recipient of several coveted awards -- Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi awards to name a few. In 2011, Ghosh was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India. The prolific poet, who studied in Kolkata's prestigious Presidency College and completed his master's degree in Bengali from Calcutta University in 1954, also taught at many varsities, including Calcutta University, Jadavpur University, Delhi University and Visva Bharati. Also read: India records fresh high of nearly 300,000 new COVID-19 cases, over 2,000 more deaths India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's president JP Nadda took to social media to pay his tribute to the poet.  "I am deeply saddened by the death of renowned Bengali poet Sankha Ghosh, who was honoured with Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award, Rabindra Award, Saraswati Award and Jnanpith Award. May his soul rest in peace," he tweeted. Last year, Bengal lost another legend to Covid. Celebrated actor Soumitra Chatterjee, the favourite of India's Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray, passed away at a hospital in Kolkata on November 15. Also read: India's capital to lock down as nation's virus cases top 15M Last week, India became the second worst-affected country in the world in terms of Covid cases. On Tuesday, India reported as many as 259,170 new cases and 1,761 fatalities in 24 hours, the highest daily death toll since the pandemic broke out in 2020. India's Covid tally and death toll currently stand at 1,53,21,089 and 1,80,530, respectively, according to the country's Health Ministry. Read Dhallywood superstar Alamgir hospitalised with Coronavirus

The 159th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore is being be celebrated on Friday.