Scholars reflect on Fayez Alam’s works at Bangla Academy event
A felicitation and discussion programme marking the 58th birthday of poet, postcolonial theorist and thinker Fayez Alam was held on Saturday, 10 January, 2026, at the Kabir Shamsur Rahman Seminar Hall of Bangla Academy.
Titled "Fayez Alam: His Creative Trajectory", the event featured a felicitation ceremony followed by an in-depth discussion. Bangla Academy President and eminent educationist Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq and Chairman of Janata Bank PLC Fazlur Rahman CSCP attended the programme as special guests.
The event was jointly organised by several literary and cultural organisations, including Dhaka Report 24 Dotcom, Banglamel, Saralrekha, Biography Foundation, Bookworm Society, and Kabyaswar.
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Among the speakers were writer-researcher Abu Sayeed Tulu, poet and fiction writer Johora Parul, poets Khalil Majid, Zahir Hasan, Raju Ahmed Mamun, Mamun Khan, Imran Mahfuz, Mamun Azad, poet and little magazine editor Rimi Dolai, Shaukat Hossain, and Iktiza Ahsan, among others.
Recitations of Fayez Alam's poems were presented by Anwar Parvez, Murad Hasan, Eklas Khan, and Shahjahan, an official of Janata Bank. Friends, colleagues and well-wishers of Fayez Alam were also present and conveyed their greetings.
A large number of readers, writers and literature enthusiasts attended the programme. The event featured a documentary screening on Fayez Alam's life and literary contributions, along with readings and recitations from his poetry and visual interpretations of his works. The celebration concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony marking the poet's birthday.
Speakers at the programme analysed Fayez Alam's literary works, postcolonial thought and theoretical perspectives. They noted that Fayez Alam has established himself as a significant contemporary thinker. Through nearly three decades of writing, he has introduced new critical perspectives on colonial experience and its lasting socio-cultural impact.
Speakers also highlighted his role in promoting colloquial Bangla as a literary language, describing it as a powerful movement that has spread across the country. Reference was made to his notable works, including "Bhashar Upanibesh: Bangla Bhashar Rupantorer Itihas" and his recently published research-based book "Banglar Itihas Charchar Pother Kanta", where he consistently employs colloquial Bangla.
To date, Fayez Alam has published five poetry collections, six books of essays, and several translated works, including Bangla translations of writings by Edward Said and Jacques Derrida, which were also discussed during the programme.
