Shawkat Osman's death anniversary observed

May 14 marked the 17th death anniversary of novelist and short story writer Shawkat Osman. On the occasion, Kathashilpi Shawkat Osman Smriti Parishad (KSOSP) organised a memorial programme at the seminar room of Central Public Library, Shahbagh on the day.

Language Movement veteran Ahmed Rafiq presided over the programme. Among eminent guests, politician Haider Akbar Khan Rono; Asad Mannan, director general of Bangladesh Television and architect Yafes Osman, State Minister for the Ministry of Science and Technology and also Osman's son, discussed the role of his father. Dr. Rakibul Islam Litu, general secretary of KSOSP delivered the welcome address at the event. Filmmaker and painter Jean-Nesar Osman, youngest son of the litterateur placed wreaths at the grave of the author. Laila Banu Poly anchored the event.

The guests spoke on the relevance of litterateurs like Shawkat Osman in present times. 

Born in Hughli, West Bengal in 1917, Shawkat Osman graduated in Economics and did his Masters in Bangla from Calcutta University. “Jononi”, his first novel, was published in 1958, and his “Kritodasher Hashi”, is a widely acclaimed novel. He also wrote short stories, poems, plays and essays. He received several awards including Adamji Sahitya Award, Bangla Academy Award, Ekushey Padak and the Shadinota Padak. He died in 1998.