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DHAKA, Jan 22, 2025 (BSS)- Academics and writers in a seminar today recalled the contribution of the folklorist Prof Dr. Muhammad Mansuruddin in the advancement of Bengali nation’s culture, literature and shaping national consciousness.
“Professor Mansuruddin was an unforgettable figure in the advancement of our national culture, literature, and consciousness. A pioneering great writer of his time Monsuruddin used to address our national issues very strongly and passionately,” said noted essayist, researcher and literary critic Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq, president of Bangla Academy.
Bangla Academy organized the seminar marking Mansuruddin's 121st birth anniversary at Poet Shamsur Rahman Seminar Hall of the academy.
Dr. Sayeem Rana of Dhaka University’s Music department gave the keynote speech while Vice-Chancellor of Tagore University of Creative Arts Professor Dr. Syed Mohammad Shahed and Dr. Md. Saiful Islam of Folklore Department of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, took part in the discussion.
Prof Abul Kashem said, “Mansuruddin was well-known for his firm character and deep intellect. In those days, the number of writers and university professors was very minimal and the government made various attempts to bring intellectuals to their side”.
“It is essential to remember those who have contributed to the welfare of our nation and to become familiar with their thoughts”, he added.
Prof. Abul Kashem recalled how Mansuruddin boldly addressed the issues of national life and stood out as one of the great intellectuals of his time.
“Professor Mansuruddin was an influential figure among the great writers. He emphasized national issues with great conviction”, he said.
Mansuruddin had written extensively on various subjects, including a two-volume work on the history of Bengali literature, he said, adding, “Anyone who writes about the history of Bengali literature should refer from his work”.
Prof Abul Kashem also praised Mansuruddin for his dedication to preserve the cultural heritage of the region, saying that Mansuruddin being inspired by Rabindranath Tagore, collected folk songs without seeking any financial support from the government.
“He was highly respected in the intellectual community for his firm stance against the cultural policies of Pakistani nationalism,” he added.
Mansuruddin's work and contributions to the advancement of national culture, literature, and consciousness were invaluable, he said, adding, he was undoubtedly one of the great figures in the history of our literature and national life.
Muhammad Mansuruddin (1904 –1987) was a Bengali author, literary critic, essayist and biographer who was an authority on folklore and was famous for a huge collection of age-old folk songs, mostly anthologised in thirteen volumes under the title Haramoni.
In recognition to his lifelong contribution to folklore collection and research, the Rabindra Bharati University awarded him D.Litt. degree in 1987.
