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Shahadat Hossen Towhid

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Shahadat Hossen Towhid: Editorial Assistant
Syed Mujtaba Ali’s language learning and his humour
Syed Mujtaba Ali’
Art and Culture

Syed Mujtaba Ali’s language learning and his humour

One of the finest novelists, short story writers, translators and humourists in modern Bangla literature is Syed Mujtaba Ali. He was born on 13 September 1904 in Karimganj of Sylhet, then part of Assam in undivided British India. A large part of his education was spent at Santiniketan. There he learnt Sanskrit, English, Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Hindi, Gujarati, French, German, Italian and several other languages. For study, employment and simply out of a passion for travelling, Mujtaba Ali roamed many countries of the world. In humorous writing he was unmatched in Bangla literature. Today, 13 September, is the day of his passing. From the 'Syed Mujtaba Ali Rachanabali" published by Student Wage, five incidents are presented here for readers.

The background to Sunil Gangopadhyay becoming a poet
Sunil Gangopadhyay
Art and Culture

The background to Sunil Gangopadhyay becoming a poet

No one kept their word, thirty-three years have passed, no one kept their word” or ‘For a long time I have had a wish to buy a mountain”—these are lines that immediately bring to mind Sunil Gangopadhyay. Though his literary life began with poetry, it was as a novelist that he gained immense popularity.

Salutations to you, conversational poet Shaheed Quaderi
poet Shaheed Quaderi
Art and Culture

Salutations to you, conversational poet Shaheed Quaderi

If one were to ask, who was the most passionate conversationalist among Bengali poets, one of the first names that would come up is poet Shaheed Quaderi. At one time, Shaheed Quaderi himself was synonymous with adda (casual intellectual gatherings). It was said of him that he could strike up a conversation even with a lamppost. The poet himself said, “I am an immigrant addabaj (conversation enthusiast).” He would lead the adda himself. Where did the adda not take place—Beauty Boarding, Rex Restaurant, the home of novelist Rashid Karim, the home of poet Shamsur Rahman, the office of educationist Fazal Shahabuddin, office of the magazine Sandhani, and Purana Paltan—everywhere. Adda was held regularly.

The poet who set alphabet ablaze with resistance
Poet Shamsur Rahman
Art and Culture

The poet who set alphabet ablaze with resistance

There is no greater achievement in our national life than the struggle for independence and the Liberation War. Countless poems have been written about these subjects. Poet Shamsur Rahman portrayed independence, the Liberation War, and patriotism in poetry with a powerful and aesthetic touch. His poems have found a place on people's lips, in slogans, on placards, wall writings, banners, and festoons. Like:

Happy birthday to ‘Voice of Asia’ SM Sultan
‘Voice of Asia’ SM Sultan
Art and Culture

Happy birthday to ‘Voice of Asia’ SM Sultan

SM Sultan is an unparalleled name in our world of art and literature. He was literally a son of soil. A bohemian by nature he used to vanish sometimes without telling anyone. He lived in his home in Narail with wild animals and rare species of venomous snakes. It was a dark, abandoned house which once belonged to a zamindar of Narail. Bushes and moss surrounded the house on the banks of the Chitra River.

Kobi Guru took his final bow in the monsoon of Srabon
Kobi Guru took his final bow in the monsoon of Srabon
Writings

Kobi Guru took his final bow in the monsoon of Srabon

The monsoon always held a special place in the heart of Rabindranath Tagore. It was not just a season but a muse a rhythm that echoed in his verses and the sky under which his creativity soared.

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