The New Nation - Internet Edition

Entertainment Report

To raise funds for the ailing poet Samudra Gupta a cultural function was held at Shawkat Osman Auditorium of the Public Library in the city recently.

Music and poetry recitation was included in the programme jointly organised by Scholars Publishers and Sangbrita.

Poet Nirmalendu Goon and Asaduzzaman Noor spoke at the programme Asaduzzaman Noor said, "Samudra is a poet and is now fighting for life at a hospital in Bangalore. We do not want to loose him at this age."

"It is encouraging to see a lot of people who stand by the poet buying tickets. I hope, more funds raising programmes for Samudra will be organised," he said. Nirmalendu Goon said, "We are optimistic that Samudra will be back among us again…after a successful operation he now feels better." He handed a cheque of Tk 70,000, collected from ticket selling, to Swapna Samudra. Jatiya Kabita Parishad earlier came up with a generous move to spend its savings for the ailing poet, alongside working for raising funds for his treatment. The Parishad also urged all to come forward to help save the life of the poet. Artistes Dilara Khan Rupa and Mahidul Islam performed at the function. Samudra Gupta, a prominent figure in contemporary Bengali poetry, also a founding member and former general secretary of Jatiya Kabita Parishad, was admitted to BIRDEM Hospital on May 5 and he was shifted to Square Hospital on May 17. He has been suffering from cancer. The dilemma of the poet came to light when poet Nirmalendu Goon wrote an article in a Bengali daily with an appeal for standing beside the family of Samudra Gupta.

Born in Sirajganj in 1946, Samudra is author to a number of poetry collections.

He was awarded a number of literary prizes for his contribution to Bengali poetry. Students of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University also held exhibitions of paintings, photos and films to raise funds for the poet.