Commemorating Shawkat Osman

A portrait of Shawkat Osman

Presided over by Hena Kabir, the programme began with a brief life sketch of the author. Born in 1917 in Hooghly, West Bengal, Shawkat Osman came to Bangladesh after the partition of India and Pakistan. Mainly known as a novelist and short story writer, Shawkat Osman also wrote in a number of other genres such as essays, plays, humorous writings, memoirs and books for children.

Among his 80 books, the noteworthy ones include Janani (1958), Kritodaser Hasi (1962), Samagam (1967), Chaurasandhi (1968), Raja Upakhyan (1971), Jahannam Haite Biday (1971), Amlar Mamla (1949), Purna Svadhinata Churna Svadhinata (1990), Oten Saheber Banglo (1944), Mosquito Phone (1957), Khude Socialist (1973) and Panchasangi (1987).

Janani portrays the destruction of a family because of the rural and urban divide. Kritadaser Hasi reveals dark episodes of political life and shows how autocrats violate human rights. In Nekrey Aranya, based on the Liberation War, he depicts the Pakistan Army's oppression of the people of Bangladesh.

He received many awards including Bangla Academy Award (1962), Adamjee Literary Award (1966), President Award (1967), Ekushey Padak (1983), Mahbubullah Foundation Prize (1983), Muktadhara Literary Award (1991), and Independence Day Award (1997). He died in Dhaka.

Chaired by Bulbon Osman, son of the author, the main discussants of the meeting were journalist Ataus Samad, Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, artist Hashem Khan, diplomat Waliur Rahman, journalist Enayet H Khan and the author's son Yafes Osman.

Shamsuzzaman Khan said, "Shawkat Osman was an exceptional personality in Bangla literature. He gave a realistic portrayal of the lifestyle of the masses."

Hashem Khan said, "Through his artistic writing style, Shawkat Osman boldly portrayed the dictatorship of the autocratic governments at different times. He also had the expertise of writing for the young, which is the most neglected genre of Bangalee literature."

Waliur Rahman said, "Shawkat Osman was a staunch supporter of Bangalee culture and strongly protested against autocracy and religious fundamentalism. Though he was not politically active, he was outspoken in his political opinions."

In between the discussions, upcoming artistes recited Shawkat Osman's poems and rendered a few favourite songs of the author.