Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to the memory of Michael Madhusudan Dutt marking the 199th birth anniversary of the legendary Bengali poet and father of Bengali sonnet, to be observed tomorrow.

In a message, she said on January 25 in 1824, Madhusudan Dutt was born to landlord Raj Narayan Dutt and Janhabi Devi at Sagardari village under Keshabpur upazila in Jashore district.

Sheikh Hasina said Madhusudan is a bright star in Bengali literature.

In the work of this timeless writer, Bengali-sense of patriotism and independent-spirit have emerged, the premier said, adding that his unique literary work is an invaluable asset of Bengali language and literature.

“I am happy to know that the seven-day long Madhu Mela is being held within January 25-31 at Sagardari in Jashore district,” she said.
She welcomed the initiative to release the souvenir ‘Madhukar’ on the occasion of Madhu Mela.

The premier hoped that paying tributes to Dutt will play an important role in conveying the poet’s unique literary talent and patriotism to the new generation.

She wished ‘Madhu Mela-2023’ a success.

The great poet died at Kolkata General Hospital on June 29, 1873. He was buried at Park Street, Kolkata, India.

He is specially known for the famous epic Meghnadbadh Kabya (1861), which is a tragic epic and is exceptional in Bengali literature both in terms of style and content.

For his contributions, Dutt is widely considered one of the greatest poets in Bengali literature and the father of the Bengali sonnet.