Each living being must go through a kind of sadness

Anif Rubed, an exceptionally talented poet, literary figure, thinker, and short story writer of the time. He has become adept at attracting the attention of a rich readership for his innovative writings. He has been awarded the Gemcon Young Literature Award. He has managed to take possession of the original literature with power even outside the capital. Talked to Views Bangladesh about his literary career. Interviewed by Kamrul Ahsan.

Views Bangladesh: How are you going?
Anif Rubed: I’m well, thanks.

Views Bangladesh: Views Bangladesh extends a warm welcome to you. You were born in 1980. You are now 44 years old. How has your life been in these 44 years? What experiences have you had in life?
Anif Rubed: I have always sought to immerse myself in life through literature and art. Regardless of what I do, whether I am walking, eating, or working the subject of literary discussions always resides within my consciousness. Reading and philosophical discourse constitute my life. It is through this internal world that I comprehend life. My life experiences are defined by the realm of my consciousness.

Views Bangladesh: Your literary career began by writing a rhyme at a very young age...
Anif Rubed: Exactly. In my childhood, there was a tomato field outside our house. We used to sit there to study and read. One chilly morning, I suddenly wrote a rhyme. Even now, I can't understand why it came to my mind? Why did I write that?

Views Bangladesh: Can you remember those few lines from that rhyme?
Anif Rubed: Yes, the lines were something like this: 'Tomato Bagun Tomato Bagun/ Khoka Khaye Hapur Hapun/ Chaitramase Ase Bou/ Mouchake Hoy Mou...' It was something like that.

Views Bangladesh: We have read in an interview that your grandfather used to encourage you a lot in writing.
Anif Rubed: Absolutely. My grandfather indeed taught me how to read and write. I used to sleep with him at night too. In the early morning, my grandfather used to recite a supplication, after finishing his prayers, which he recited in a poetic manner. I don't know if it was his own composition or if he collected it from somewhere. Hearing that supplication in the depth of sleep feels very comforting to me. The rhythm of those verses resonates within me somehow.

Views Bangladesh: When did you consciously decide to start writing?
Anif Rubed: I made this decision consciously when I was in class eight. Then I became very interested in music. I was also sent to the mosque to learn Arabic. I was given a notebook. I filled that notebook with songs I wrote. Later, I didn't find any resemblance between the structure of my songs and those of others. Later on, I made the final decision to engage in writing during my intermediate studies. Since then, my academic pursuits, more or less, came to an end. I've managed to finish my honors degree with much difficulty. However, I had decided that I would have to read a lot of books. So far, I try to read fifty pages every day.

View Bangladesh: What do you do professionally?
Anif Rubed: I am involved with teaching.

Views Bangladesh: Are you married?
Anif Rubed: Yes, I am.

Views Bangladesh: Do you have children?
Anif Rubed: No, I don't.

Views Bangladesh: You seem quite obsessed with writing, but in our social life, there's often a conflict between artistic endeavors and societal expectations. How do you cope with such challenges?
Anif Rubed: I often have to hear a lot from many people. How can I describe that? I try to avert. Usually I try to ignore and avoid them who don't appreciate my way of life.

Views Bangladesh: Is Chapainawabganj, where you reside, a city or a village?
Anif Rubed: It's on the outskirts of the city. It used to be a village, but the traditional rural atmosphere is no longer there.

Views Bangladesh: Do you have companions there according to your preferences, or you feel lonely?
Anif Rubed: Yes, I feel isolated sometimes, still, I'm trying to gather those who discuss literature a bit. I have started an organization where I call upon those who enjoy singing and reciting poetry. Recently, I also have taken a house on rent, where I have arranged for children to learn art and music.

Views Bangladesh: You are 44 years old. You have written 9 books and have received an award. At this age, how do you feel, and how confident are you in establishing your reputation in Bengali literature?
Anif Rubed: I’m not worried about establishing a reputation. I prefer to be immersed in my work. My artistic pursuit is my life, and I'll continue with it until my last breath.

Views Bangladesh: This year, your novel "Kalkathure" was published. Could you please tell us something about it?
Anif Rubed: In this novel, there is a general form that encompasses my thoughts and reflections. As scientists say, this universe has originated from the Big Bang. From a cosmic explosion. This is a material phenomenon through which planets, stars, water, and earth have been formed; however, I say, there is also a philosophical aspect to it. Along with it, there has been an explosion of a mournful drop. As a result of this explosion of a mournful drop, each of us, every living being, must go through a kind of sadness.

Views Bangladesh: What is the way to liberation from this sorrow?
Anif Rubed: There is only one way. One person should try to bring as much joy to another person as possible. If we all can bring joy to everyone, perhaps some alleviation of this sorrow will occur. If there is any purpose behind my struggle, my activism, and my writing, then it lies within that.

Views Bangladesh: We notice the influence of storytelling in your poetry, and the impact of poetry in your storytelling. However, these two are distinct mediums. How do you differentiate between storytelling and poetry?
Anif Rubed: There was a time when I used to reject all of this. I felt that writing was just writing. It wasn't a story, nor a poem, nor a novel. Such a thought used to resonate within me at one point. I still haven't been able to completely let go of it. However, in a story, there's an event, while in a poem, the emotion is paramount.

Views Bangladesh: Who has influenced you in the realm of artistic or philosophical thoughts?
Anif Rubed: It's not exactly about being influenced. I prefer to explore through a broad range of reading. I have studied the works of Lalon, Rabindranath Tagore, and Jibanananda Das thoroughly. They perceive the world in a way that I want to understand. In terms of philosophy, Lalon's vastness is significant to me. Then, Leonardo da Vinci is a huge matter to me. How versatile a person's talent can be, it becomes clear through da Vinci.

Views Bangladesh: Which philosophy of Lalon empowers you?
Anif Rubed: Lalon's humanistic philosophy. The distinction we create among people based on religion, caste, or nationality, Lalon provides us liberation from that. He said, "If you worship human, you'll become a golden human. We find the pursuit of this golden human through Lalon's