A special seminar titled “Rabindranath in the Test of Time: Challenges and Prospects” was held today at the university campus, jointly organised by the Department of Bangla and the Department of English at Uttara University.
Dr Serajul Islam Choudhury, emeritus professor of the Department of English at Dhaka University, attended the event as the keynote speaker. In his address, he provided a profound analysis of the relevance of Rabindranath’s work amidst contemporary crises and its future potential.
Describing the poet’s journey as a global citizen, Professor Choudhury remarked that Rabindranath was deeply seated in the hearts of the people, evolving from a Bengali and an Indian into a “global, timeless, and universal” figure.
He emphasised that the nation’s debt to him is “undeniable” due to his immense contribution to enriching literary thought and language.
Professor Choudhury further noted that it is impossible to imagine the cultural evolution of Bengalis or the global blueprint of Bengali literature by excluding Rabindranath.
Professor Dr Eaysmin Ara Lekha, the honourable Vice-Chancellor of Uttara University, graced the seminar as the chief guest. She described Rabindranath as an “eternal present” in every crisis and transition rather than a figure confined to the past.
According to Dr Lekha, comprehending the depth of his creations requires “freedom from the shackles of conventional thinking” and deep concentration. She asserted that in today’s complex era, Rabindranath’s relevance has not faded, but rather his work feels “even more alive.”
The seminar also featured a panel of distinguished speakers, including Dr Parveen Akther Jemy, Professor at the Department of Bangla, Jagannath University; Dr Sohana Mahbub, Professor at the Department of Bangla, Dhaka University; and Dr Chanchal Kumar Bose, Professor at the Department of Bangla, Jagannath University.
Other participants included Momtaz Begum, Professor at the Department of Bangla, Uttara University; Dr Faez Mohammad Serajul Hoque, Advisor, Uttara University; and Dr Syeda Afroza Zerin, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Uttara University.
During the session, speakers discussed the necessity of Rabindranath’s philosophy in addressing current social and cultural crises. Prof. Bose and Prof. Sohana presented research-based analyses of his major literary works, which deeply inspired the attending faculty and students.
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks from the convener, Dr Shah Ahmed, Associate Professor of the Department of English, who expressed gratitude to the visiting guests and researchers on behalf of the organising committee.
