Professor Rafiq Azam Delivers Historic Gazi Shamsur Rahman Memorial Lecture 2026 at Bangla Academy
24-08-2026
On Monday, 24 August 2026 (9 Bhadra 1433 of the Bengali era), the Bangla Academy’s Kabi Shamsur Rahman Seminar Hall hosted an intellectual gathering as Professor Rafiq Azam delivered the Gazi Shamsur Rahman Memorial Lecture 2026. This occasion marked the revival of a distinguished memorial series after an 18-year hiatus and represented a watershed moment for South Asian design discourse: Professor Azam became the first architect in the Academy’s history to receive this honor.
Historically, the Gazi Shamsur Rahman Memorial Lecture has served as a platform for scholars across law, science, and public policy. Previous speakers include:
- 2006: Justice Mustafa Kamal
- 2007: Professor M. Shamsher Ali
- 2008: Justice Kazi Ebadul Hoque
Inviting an architect to this platform highlights a broader recognition of spatial practice as an intellectual, cultural, and philosophical enterprise. By featuring Professor Azam, Bangla Academy expanded the scope of civic discourse to explore how the built environment shapes human identity, cultural memory, and ecological stewardship.
Titled “Coming Back Home: The Confluence of Nature and Mystic Philosophy in Architecture,” Professor Azam’s lecture offered a re-examination of contemporary spatial practices. Grounded in the eco-hydrological context of deltaic Bengal and infused with Sufi and Baul philosophical traditions, the discourse challenged conventional modernism’s reliance on concrete and functionalism.
Professor Azam argued that "home" is not merely a physical structure, but a state of ecological and spiritual alignment. Drawing from regional traditions, he demonstrated how passive cooling, natural ventilation, rainwater harvesting, and lush green courtyards are rooted in the mystical understanding of humanity’s relationship with nature. By framing architectural design alongside regional poetry, folk philosophy, and environmental ethics, the lecture positioned built spaces as living expressions of regional philosophy.
The program commenced with a welcome address by Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, who emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary dialogue in addressing contemporary urban and environmental challenges. Water resources expert Professor Emeritus Ainun Nishat addressed the gathering, detailing the alignment between ecological conservation and vernacular spatial planning in a changing climate.
The session was moderated by folk scholar Dr. Simon Zakaria, Deputy Director of the Department of Research at Bangla Academy. Event coordination and logistics were managed by Shehab Rahmania, Head of PDC at SHATOTTO architecture for green living, ensuring smooth execution for this historic academic gathering.
By reuniting architectural thought with national literary and philosophical institutions, the 2026 Gazi Shamsur Rahman Memorial Lecture established a vital precedent—affirming that spatial design plays an essential role in preserving cultural heritage and navigating environmental futures.
