Kali O Kalam, a reputed literary magazine, recognised six young wordsmiths with the Young Poet and Writer Award 2017, held on January 30 at the main auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum.

Mizanur Rahman for his book “Jumjuarhi” and Hosne Ara Jahan for her book “Nishinda Patar Ghran” jointly received awards in Poetry. Among  other award winners, Tapas Roy received award for his novel “Ei Besh Atongke Achhi” while Altaf Shahnewaz for his book “Nrityakee” bagged awards in Essay, Research and Play category.  For his book “Muktijuddher Ojana Bhashya”, Mamun Siddiqui received award in Liberation War-based Literature category while Rajeeb Hasan, for his book “Horipada O Geliyen”, received award in the Children and Juvenile Literature section.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu attended the event as chief guest while Emeritus Professor Anisuzzaman presided over the programme.

Eminent Rabindra researcher and writer Martin Kampsen was present as guest of honour while Writer-Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam attended the occasion as special guest. Abul Khair, Chairman of Bengal Foundation, and Abul Hasnat, Editor of Kali O Kalam, spoke at the event.

“The readers expect two things–loves for beauty and truth – from the writers. Mingling these two things is the main course of literature. Many youngsters, receiving this award, have so far established themselves in literary arena. Those who have received awards today will rightly glorify our literature in the days ahead,” said Anisuzzaman.

“The litterateurs of this soil carry forward the legacy of a rich civilization of four-thousand years. They will guide the nation in crisis and during lack of cultural practice,” said Hasanul Haq Inu.     

Each of the award winners received a crest, a certificate and prize money worth TK 1 lakh in recognition of their literary works.

The programme concluded with a solo musical soiree by renowned Tagore singer

Laisa Ahmed Lisa. Kali O Kalam, a monthly magazine for art, culture and literature, has been awarding this since 2008 while 45 personalities got the award till date.