Al Mahmud
Encyclopedia
Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud (born 11 July 1936), commonly known as Al Mahmud is a Bangladesh
i Poet
, novelist, short-story writer
. He is considered as one of the greatest Bengali
poets emerged from 1950s. His work in Bengali poetry is dominated by his copious use of regional dialects. In 1950s he was among those Bengali poets who were outspoken by writing about the events of Bengali Language Movement, nationalism, political and economical repression and struggle against West Pakistan Government. He has been awarded Ekushey Padak
in 1987, the highest state award by the Government of Bangladesh.
, Bangladesh
. Mahmud started his career as a journalist. He came into recognition after Lok Lokantor was published in 1963. In succession, he wrote Kaler Kalosh (1966), Sonali Kabin (1966) and Mayabi Porda Dule Otho (1976). In addition to writing poetry, he has written short stories, novels and essays such as Pankourir Rakta and Upamohadesh. He took part in the Liberation War of Bangladesh as a freedom fighter in 1971. After the war, he joined The Daily Ganakantha as the assistant editor. He was jailed for a year during the era of Awami League government. Later, Al Mahmud joined Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
in 1975 and retired in 1993 as director of the academy.
His literary work Shonali Kabin published in 1973, is considered as a landmark of Bengali poetry. Philosopher Sibnarayan Ray
commented: “Al Mahmud has an extraordinary gift for telescopic discrete levels of experience; in his poems I find a marvelous fusion and wit which reminds me occasionally of Bishnu Dey. The complete secularism of his approach is also striking…he was born and brought up in a very conservative Muslim religious family; it is not a secularism forced by some ideology, but present naturally and ubiquitously in his metaphors, images and themes.”
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
i Poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, novelist, short-story writer
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
. He is considered as one of the greatest Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
poets emerged from 1950s. His work in Bengali poetry is dominated by his copious use of regional dialects. In 1950s he was among those Bengali poets who were outspoken by writing about the events of Bengali Language Movement, nationalism, political and economical repression and struggle against West Pakistan Government. He has been awarded Ekushey Padak
Ekushey Padak
Ekushey Padak is one of the highest civilian awards in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952 that took place on February 21, 1952.-2001:*Shah Abdul Karim...
in 1987, the highest state award by the Government of Bangladesh.
Biography
He was born in Morail Village, Brahmanbaria DistrictBrahmanbaria District
Brahmanbaria is a district in east-central Bangladesh. It is a part of the Chittagong Division. It was part of greater Comilla District until 1984. Before 1830 the Sarail Pargana was a part of Mymensingh district...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. Mahmud started his career as a journalist. He came into recognition after Lok Lokantor was published in 1963. In succession, he wrote Kaler Kalosh (1966), Sonali Kabin (1966) and Mayabi Porda Dule Otho (1976). In addition to writing poetry, he has written short stories, novels and essays such as Pankourir Rakta and Upamohadesh. He took part in the Liberation War of Bangladesh as a freedom fighter in 1971. After the war, he joined The Daily Ganakantha as the assistant editor. He was jailed for a year during the era of Awami League government. Later, Al Mahmud joined Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
Shilpakala Academy
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is the principal state-sponsored national cultural center of Bangladesh. It is a successor to the former Pakistan Arts Council....
in 1975 and retired in 1993 as director of the academy.
His literary work Shonali Kabin published in 1973, is considered as a landmark of Bengali poetry. Philosopher Sibnarayan Ray
Sibnarayan Ray
Sibnarayan Ray was one of the most renowned Bengali thinker, educationist, philosopher and literary critic of twentieth century India. A radical humanist, he is widely reputed for his works on Marxist-revolutionary Manabendra Nath Roy, and famous polymath Bertrand Russell, commenting on Ray, once...
commented: “Al Mahmud has an extraordinary gift for telescopic discrete levels of experience; in his poems I find a marvelous fusion and wit which reminds me occasionally of Bishnu Dey. The complete secularism of his approach is also striking…he was born and brought up in a very conservative Muslim religious family; it is not a secularism forced by some ideology, but present naturally and ubiquitously in his metaphors, images and themes.”
Selected Works
- Lok Lokantor (1963)
- Kaler Kalos (1966)
- Shonali Kabin (1966)
- Mayabi Porda Dule Otho (1976)
- Arobbo Rojonir Rajhash
- Bokhtiyarer Ghora
- Dinjapon
- Ditiyo Bhangon
- Ekti Pakhi Lej Jhola
- Golpshomogro
- Jebhabe Gore Uthi
- Kishor Shomogro
- Kobir Atmobisshash
- Kobita Somogro- 1, 2
- Pankourir Rakta (1975)
- Na Kono Shunnota Mani Na
- Nodir Bhitorer Nodi
- Pakhir Kache, Phooler Kache
- Prem O Bhalobashar Kobita
- Prem Prokritir Droho Ar Prarthonar Kobita
- Premer Kobita Somogro
- Upomohadesh
- Upanyas Somogro- 1, 2, 3
- Trishera
Awards
- Ekushey PadakEkushey PadakEkushey Padak is one of the highest civilian awards in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952 that took place on February 21, 1952.-2001:*Shah Abdul Karim...
, 1987 - Bangla Academy Award, 1968
- Chattagram Sangskriti Kendro Farrukh Memorial Award (1995)
- Kabi Jasim Uddin Award
- Philips Literary Award
- Alakta Literary Award
- Sufi Motaher Hossain Literary Gold Medal
External links
- Bengali poems by Al Mahmud
- Books by Al Mahmud Online
- Recent Books by Al-Mahmud
- Poet Al Mahmud turns 73; The Daily Star
- Poet Al Mahmud turns 75; The Daily Star