Monday marks the 5th death anniversary of the Ekushey Padak and Independence Award-winning writer, playwright and poet Syed Shamsul Haq.
The day is being observed by different organisations through various events including remembrance lecture programmes, book launch events, cultural shows and more.
Kurigram district administration alongside some other different cultural and educational institutions brought out a procession and placed floral wreaths on Haq’s grave on Kurigram Government College campus at 9 am.
Later, Kurigram Press Club arranged a discussion programme at Syed Shamsul Haq Milanayatan at 12 pm.
Read:Writer Syed Shamsul Haque remembered in Kurigram
Prothoma Prokashon, a renowned publishing firm, will launch Syed Shamsul Haq's novel titled ‘Patan’ at the National Art Gallery auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) at 5 pm.
Besides, publishing house Oitijjhya will publish Haq's translation work ‘Quraner Marmanubad’, Journeyman will publish the collection of his essays titled ‘Drishyantari Manushera,’ Ananya will publish ‘Aynabibir Pala’ and Nabanna Prokashoni will publish ‘Muktijuddher Kabita,’ a collection of poems based on Mymensingh Geetika.
Haq was born in Kurigram on December 27, 1935 to Syed Siddique Husain, a homoeopathic physician, and Halima Khatun.
He began writing at a young age, and before completing his matriculation exams, he had written over 200 poems. He enrolled in the English Department at Dhaka University but did not complete his studies.
In 1951, Haq published his debut story titled "Udayasta," in Fazle Lohani-edited literary journal ‘Agatya’. In the same year, he moved to Mumbai, India, to pursue a career as a film director but returned to Dhaka after just a few days, to focus on writing.
Creating a new literary trend in the contemporary Bengali drama, Haq wrote popular verse plays such as “Nuruldiner Sara Jibon,” “Payer Awaj Paoa Jay,” “Ekhane Ekhon,” “Irsha,” “Banglar Mati Banglar Jol” and others.
Also earning a remarkable reputation for novel, he penned many popular and well-acclaimed novels including “Nishiddho Loban,” “Stobdhotar Anubad,” “Baro Diner Jibon,” “Tumi Sei Torbari,” “Simana Chhariye,” “Neel Dangshan,” “Koyekti Manusher Sonali Joubon,” “Nirbasita,” “Khelaram Khele Ja,” “Megh o Machine,” “Brishti o Bidrohigan,” “Swapno Songkranto,” and more.
He wrote several collections of poems including “Birotiheen Utsob,” “Ekoda Ek Rajye,” “Baishakhe Rochito Pangktimala,” “Protidhwonigon,” “Poraner Gohin Bhitor,” Agni o Joler Kabita,” “Ek Ashcharja Songramer Smriti,” Kabita Somogro” in three volumes and others.
As a prolific lyricist, Haq penned hundreds of playback songs, including “Hayre Manush Rongin Phanush,” “Emon Moja Hoy Na,” “Tumi Ashbe Bole Kachhe Dakbe Bole,” “Chander Sathe Ami Debo Na Tomar Tulona” and more. Besides, he also wrote many screenplays for mainstream films.
Read:Writer Syed Shamsul Haque remembered in Kurigram
Often considered one of the best translators in Bangladesh, Haq translated many popular western classics including William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth,’ ‘Hamlet,’ ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Troilus and Cressida,’ to name a few.
For his influential role in the literature, Syed Shamsul Haq received Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1964, only at the age of 29. The litterateur also received two of the highest state awards - the Ekushey Padak in 1984 and the Independence Award in 2000.
He passed away on September 27, 2016 at the United Hospital in the capital, at the age of 81 after suffering from critical lungs disease.
He is survived by his wife Dr Anwara Syed Haq, son Ditio Syed-Haq, daughter Bidita Sadi and a host of relatives, well-wishers, fans and admirers.