Zahir Raihan: A visionary
Zahir Raihan was born on August 19, 1935 in the village Majupur of Feni district. After the Partition, along with his parents he returned to his village From Calcutta. He obtained BA (Honours) in Bangla from DU.
He took an active part in the Language Movement. He was one of the first 10 students to go out in a procession on February 21, 1952 despite a ban on such activities. He and many others were arrested and taken to prison.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. In his student life, Raihan devoted himself to literature. Surya Grahan, a collection of stories, was his first book. Other books that he authored are Shesh Bikeler Meye, Hajar Bachhar Dhorey, Arek Phalgun, Baraf Gala Nadi and Ar Kato Din. He was a major promoter of the Weekly Express in 1970. He was honoured with the Adamjee Literature Award for his novel Hajar Bachhar Dhorey and the Bangla Academy Award in 1972.
Zahir Raihan entered the film world in 1956. Kakhono Asheni, the first film directed by him, was released in 1961. Then came his other films: Kajal, Kancher Deyal, Behula, Jiban Theke Neya, Anwara, Sangam and Bahana. His Urdu film Sangam was the first colour film made in Pakistan. Another Urdu film, Bahana was a cinemascope. Filmmakers worldwide usually make movies on major events after they have taken place. But Raihan was a visionary who made Jiban Theke Neya based on the current 'Mass Upsurge' against the autocratic rule and inspired people to protest against the tyrant Pakistani rulers.
He began making an English film Let There Be Light, which he could not finish because of the break out of the Liberation War. After March 25, 1971, he went to Calcutta and produced a documentary film, Stop Genocide highlighting the massacre carried out by the Pakistani Army. The film created a sensation all over the world.
Zahir Raihan's disappearance created an irreparable void in our film industry.
Source: Banglapedia