Writers, poets, and artists gathered on Saturday to pay tribute to educationist and writer Syed Manzoorul Islam, acknowledging his profound impact on Bangladeshi literature and art.
The commemorative programme, organised by the Bengal Foundation and Kali o Kalam at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi, celebrated Manzoorul鈥檚 lifelong dedication to nurturing young writers and artists.
The event was held in memory of Syed Manzoorul, who passed away on October 10 at a hospital in Dhaka.
Manzoorul, who inspired countless individuals to pursue literature and the arts, was the vice-president of Bengal Foundation Trust and president of the editorial board of Kali o Kalam.
Speakers at the event included fiction writer and translator Mashrur Arefin, journalist and poet Sajjad Sharif, artist and honorary professor Farida Zaman, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh vice-chancellor Imran Rahman, writer-researcher Professor Kaiser Haq, and writer-translator Fakrul Alam, among others.
The event was moderated by Bengal Foundation director general Luva Nahid Chowdhury.
Mashrur Arefin shared how Manzoorul helped and inspired him to balance his career in banking with literature.
鈥楬e was always there to help us, spreading light selflessly,鈥� Arefin said.
Farida Zaman praised Manzoorul for promoting Bangladeshi art and artists globally.
鈥楬e analysed our arts artistically and described them with great clarity in his writings and lectures,鈥� Zaman added.
Born on January 18, 1951, in Sylhet, Syed Manzoorul Islam received his PhD from Queen鈥檚 University in Canada in 1981. After retiring as a professor from the Dhaka University English department, he was appointed Professor Emeritus in 2023.
He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2018 and the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1996.
His notable works include Thaka Na Thakar Galpa, Andhakar O Alo Dekhar Galpa, Tin Parber Jiban, and Nandantattwa.
