Kazi Nazrul Islam University: A year on, sculpture repair still pending

The sculpture “Anjali Laho Mor” on Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University campus in Mymensingh, which was partially demolished about a year ago, has yet to be repaired.

Inspired by Nazrul’s song “Anjali Laho Mor”, the sculpture was designed by sculptor Manindra Pal and installed in the pond in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

After the August 2024 changeover, the university administration allegedly came under pressure from some students to remove the sculpture, campus sources said.

It was later demolished in June last year, sparking widespread outrage on social media.

Students and a group of faculty members of the university have demanded that the sculpture be repaired and restored to its original shape before Nazrul’s 127th birth celebrations on May 25.

Zenas Bhowmik, a former law student and coordinator of Students Against Discrimination, said, “Even if there was any pressure from certain quarters to remove the sculpture, the university administration should have consulted students and communicated the plan.”

On several occasions, students met the university authorities seeking immediate repair of the sculpture, but to no avail, he added.

Echoing him, several students said destroying such art is an attack on cultural and philosophical expression.

Contacted, Md Hafizur Rahman, director of Planning, Development and Works at the university, said a design involving the present sculpture has been finalised by a committee. “Upon its approval, the repair work will be started,” he said.