Photo: Courtesy
The sweet call of a hawk are whispering, sometimes the flapping of the wings of a pankauri, and sometimes the sound of the gurgling waters of the Kapotaksha River creating an esthetic atmosphere. The gentle embrace of green nature on both sides of the river - in such a beautiful natural environment, the 'Soptahe Ekti Boi Por' (Read a Book a Week) has organized an 'Protibesh Oddhayan' (Environmental Study) on the novel 'Kabi' by fiction writer Tarashankar Banerjee on Friday at 2:30 pm in the middle of the Kapotaksha River in Katakhal, Jhikargachha, Jashore.
The clear waters of the Kapotaksha River, boats bobbing along the banks of the river, the chirping of birds along with the cold wind, vibrant discussions of the very novel and occasional performances of songs and poems create a beautiful and sensual atmosphere.
The program began under the chairmanship of Shahjahan Kabir, Assistant Professor of history of Govt Michael Madhusudan College, Jessore, and was conducted by organization's member Murad Hossain. With the introductory song by Saleha Sultana Usha, Mr Kabir conducted a five-minute meditation session and after the welcome speech by Abhijit Kumar Tarafdar, Study circle's member Khadija Ekram Esha, Sonia Afrin, Apu Debnath, Jannatul Ferdous Ila, Hamida Himu, Anika, and others participated in the reading-reaction session. During the discussion, poet Mamun Azad recited Rubaiyat, Monira Khatun recited a poem, and local Baul artist Sohrab Hossain performed folk songs.
At one stage of the discussion, members of the circle participated in a lively debate centered on the novel 'Kabi'. The topic of the debate was 'It was not Bosonto, Thakurjii was the real love of Nitai'. The supporting team included Murad Hossain, Saima Akhter Taufa, Abhijit Tarafdar and Sonia Afrin and the anti team included Apu Debnath, Saleha Sultana Usha, Khadija Ekram Esha and Jannatul Ferdous Ila. Poet Mamun Azad, journalist Salman Hasan Rajib and former general secretary of the organization and poet Sumon Reza was present as judges in the debate competition.
The supporting team won the debate and Abhijit Tarafdar was selected as the best speaker. Associate Professor of the Bangla Department of Jessore Government Women's College Md. Mofazzel Hossain gave a lively discussion on the novel 'Kabi' and participated in the question and answer session. At the end of the program, awards were given to the debaters. Murad Hossain won the award for the best volunteer and Sumon Reza was selected as the Best Boier Bondhu (Best Book Friend).
Regarding this different arrangement, the president of the organization, Shahjahan Kabir, said that during the reading of the book 'Kabi', an argument started among the reading circle members about the love of the three characters of the novel, Nitai, Thakurji and Bosonto. In order to resolve this dispute, a logical and humorous debate was organized. The reading circle became enjoyable with logical and romantic discussions centered on the characters of the book. Such initiatives create an opportunity to analytically understand the content of the relevant book and enjoy reading.
It is worth noting that the organization 'Soptahe Ekti Boi Pori' (Read a Book a Week) is an intellectuality practicing platform run from Jessore. It is already being appreciated nationwide by showing its important position in the creative practice spheres of the district through their innovative and aesthetic efforts. Moreover, the concerned people feel that it is necessary to spread such creative initiatives nationwide on the model of Soptahe Ekti Boi Pori (Read a Book a Week).
Messenger/JRTarek
