Speakers, including lyricists and academicians, said that the literary works of poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah embodied love, rebellion and social justice.
They made the remark at a discussion session on a translated book titled 鈥楻uddro and Beyond鈥� held at the La Nouvelle Vague, auditorium hall of Alliance Fran莽aise de Dhaka in Dhanmondi on Wednesday.
Lyricists Shahidullah Faraizee, Shankar Shawjal, professor Rafique Ullah Khan, Alliance Fran莽aise de Dhaka director Francois Grosjean, translator Nadira Bhabna and Adorn Publication publisher Syed Zakir Hussain, among others, were present at the discussion session, which was organised by Alliance Fran莽aise de Dhaka.
Shahidullah Faraizee said that society鈥檚 morals were in decline and inequality was on the rise nowadays.
Rudra took a stance against oppression and inequality through his literary works, said Shahidullah Faraizee.
Rafique Ullah Khan said that Rudra was his classmate and a friend, who was very much talented.
鈥楻udra was politically conscious and his poems reflected his thoughts,鈥� said Rafique Ullah Khan, adding that Rudra was influenced by a variety of sources, including the political turmoil of Bangladesh, keen observation of the human condition and global literary traditions.
鈥楬e explored new avenues of expression through his poems,鈥� said Rafique Ullah Khan.
He added that Rudra鈥檚 poems often addressed various issues, including political oppression, economic inequality and the struggle for justice, reflecting his deep commitment to social change.
Shankar Shawjal said that he first met Rudra during the anti-autocracy movement.
鈥業t is unfortunate that many people are using lines from Rudra鈥檚 poems but they do not know that those were written by Rudra,鈥� said Shankar Shawjal.
He mentioned that Nadira Bhabna鈥檚 English translation of Rudra鈥檚 literary works introduced the poetic brilliance of Rudra to English readers.
Nadira Bhabna said that the beauty, emotional depth and social relevance of Rudra鈥檚 literary works influenced her to translate the poems.
This book, published by Adorn Publication, comprises 52 poems, two letters and five portraits of the poet.