Bangla Academy
Bangla academy logo
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Bangla Academy main building
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| Motto | "Moder gorob moder asha, a mori bangla bhasha" |
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| Formation | December 3, 1955 |
| Headquarters | Burdwan House |
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Region served
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Bengal |
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Official language
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Bengali |
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President
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Dr. Anisuzzaman |
| Website | banglaacademy.org.bd |
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The Bangla Academy (Bengali: বাংলা একাডেমি [baŋla ækaɖemi]) is Bangladesh's national language authority, established in 1954. It is located in Burdwan House in Ramna, Dhaka, within the grounds of the University of Dhaka and Suhrawardy Udyan.
The Bangla Academy hosts the annual Ekushey Book Fair, as well as the Bangladesh Hay Festival.
Contents
History
The importance of establishing an organization for Bengali language was first emphasized by the linguist Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah.[1] [2] Later, following the Language movement, on April 27, 1952, the All Party National Language Committee decided to demand establishment of an organisation for the promotion of Bengali language.
During the 1954 parliamentary elections, the United Front's 21 point manifesto stated that, "The prime minister from the United Front will dedicate the Bardhaman House for establishing a research centre for Bengali language".[2] Following the election success of the Front, the education minister Syed Azizul Haque placed the order to fulfill this promise.
In 1955, the Government formed a committee to expedite the process. The committee was composed of leading intellectuals like Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah, Dr. Qazi Motahar Hossain, Dr. S.M. Bhattacharya, Dr. W. H. Shadani, and Muhammad Barkatullah. On December 3, 1955, the prime minister, Abu Hossain, inaugurated the Bangla Academy.[2]
At first, Muhammad Barkatullah acted as the Special Officer in charge. Later, in 1956, Dr. Muhammed Enamul Haq took over as the first director.[3] In 1957, an act of the parliament formally established the funding source and the Government support for the Academy.[2] The first book published by the academy was Laili Maznu, an epic by the medieval poet Daulat Ujir Bahram Khan, and edited by Prof. Ahmed Sharif. The first fellow of the academy was the poet Farrukh Ahmed.[2]
After Bangladesh independence, the director's position was renamed Director General.[3] Mazharul Islam, head of Bangla Department of Rajshahi University, was the first Director General of Bangla Academy.[4]
On 19 September 2008, a new 8-storied building, containing a 500-capacity auditorium and a 100-capacity seminar room, opened next to the main building.
Activities
The main task of the Academy is to conduct research on Bengali language, culture and history, and to publish Bengali literary and research work. It has also established the Bangla Academy Award, given each year for contribution to Bengali language.
To commemorate the Language movement and the Language martyr's day, the Academy organises the month-long Ekushey Book Fair, the largest book fair in the country.
See also
References
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