Poet Shahidul Alam Tuku's 60th birthday celebrated in Toronto

The 60th birth anniversary of poet Shahidul Alam Tuku was celebrated in Toronto with a warm event that included songs, poems, and reminiscences.

This fun-filled gathering was held last Friday at the Multicultural Film Screening Centre, located at 3000 Danforth Avenue in Toronto, and was organized by the poet's friends.

Born on November 27, 1965, in Kadirdi, Faridpur, Shahidul Alam Tuku completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Rajshahi University. Later, he pursued higher education at various universities in England, the United States, and Canada. He has worked at the Bangladesh Development Research Center, the Public Assistance Organization, and the World Bank. He has also worked as a journalist in various media outlets in Bangladesh, the United States, and Canada. He has been living permanently in Toronto since 2003.

During his student life at Rajshahi University, he was associated with the country's first institutional recitation organization, 'Swanan'. Tuku, who is dedicated to poetry, has published three poetry books: Fanar Mukhosh, Maun Andak, and Kakatoliya Sparsh.

Dilara Nahar Babu, Faria Saheli, and Manabi Mridha recited from his poems at the birth anniversary celebrations. Shirin Chowdhury and Shamim Aminur Rahman performed songs. Enayet Karim Babul, Shogat Ali Sagar, Sheikh Shahnawaz, Rajkumar Biswas, Bidyut Sarkar, Ahmed Hossain, Delwar Elahi, Masum Rahman, Maitreyi Devi, and many others remembered the poet at the event.

On the occasion of the poet's 60th birthday, the cover of a publication titled 'Suhridhat', written by friends about him, was also unveiled. The event was hosted by Monis Rafiq, General Secretary of the Toronto Film Forum.