The 85th birth anniversary of versatile Bengali writer and poet Syed Shamsul Haque is being observed today (27 December) in a befitting manner. To mark the day, various programs have been chalked out by different socio-cultural organizations.
Syed Shamsul Haq was born in Kurigram on December 27, 1935. He drawn to writing at an early age and penned over 200 poems before completing his matriculation. He enrolled at Dhaka University’s English department but did not complete his degree.
In his kaleidoscopic writing career spanning over 60 years, Syed Haq penned 40 novels and several collections of poems. He received the prestigious Bangla Academy Literary Award at the age of 29 in 1964.
Among his popular collections of poems are Paraner Gahin Bhitar, Ekoda Ek Rajye, Baishakhe Rachita Panktimala, Pratidhwanigan, Apar Purush, Ek Ashcharja Sangamer Smriti, Kabita Samagra in three volumes and others.
He has novels to his credit like Brishti O Bidrahigan, Ek Mahilar Chhabi, Stabdhatar Anubad, Baro Diner Jiban, Tumi Sei Tarbari, Simana Chhariye, Neel Dangshan, Nishiddha Loban, Kayekti Manusher Sonali Jouban, Nirbasita, Khelaram Khele Ja, Megh O Machine, Anya Ek Alingan, Shreshtha Upanyas and others.
As a playwright Syed Shamsul Haq created a new trend in contemporary Bangla drama. He penned popular verse plays such as Payer Awaj Paoya Jay, Nuruldiner Sara Jiban, Ekhane Ekhon, Irsha, Narigan, Banglar Mati Banglar Jal, Narigan and others.
He wrote short stories and screenplays for mainstream films and hundreds of playbacks including Hayre manus rangin phanus, Tumi ahbe bole kachhe dakbe bole, Chander sathe ami debo na and others.
He also translated some western classics including Shakespear’s Macbeth, Hamlet, The Tempest, Troilus and Cresida and Ibsen’s Pyr Gynt and others. His collections of essays include Hrith Kalamer Taane, Marjine Mantabya.
Syed Shamsul Haq passed away in 2016 at the age of 81.
