Bimal Guha
Encyclopedia
Bimal Guha (born 27 October 1952) is a Bangladesh
i poet, and a leading poet of his generation. He appeared on the literary scene of Bangladesh in the seventies of last century. His themes revolve around our war of liberation and the eternal subjects of love, nature, motherland, mother-tongue, tradition, and modernity.
district. He is the eldest among the four children of Prasanna Kumar Guha and Manadabala Guha. He had his early education at local Bajalia High School and his Secondary and Higher Secondary education during 1968-70 at Satkania College. He received his MA
in Bengali literature from the University of Chittagong in 1975. Later he studied publishing studies at Napier Polytechnic of Edinburgh (Napier University
), UK. He also received higher training in editing and publication from Philippines and Thailand. He had his PhD
in modern Bengali poetry from the University of Dhaka
in 1997. In personal life he married Meena Guha in 1980 and they have three daughters. Dr. Guha has been working at the University of Dhaka since 1979 and now heads an administrative office.
Bimal Guha entered the literary arena in 1968 while he was in school. He read the Sanchaita (collected poems) by Rabindranath Tagore during his leisure time after secondary examination. He was then inspired by it and took pen for writing. His first poem Akash (The Sky) which was published in Satkania college magazine Rashmi in 1969 and almost at the same time his poems began to appear in different literary periodicals and literary sections of the newspapers. His first book of poems Ahongkar, Tomar Shabdo (Pride, Your Words) is published in 1982, and then he transcends into newer perceptions from one volume to another. Without following the regular path of his predecessors he creates his own way and style of writing. Imagery, simile, metaphors and symbolisms that Bimal applies in his poems are so very special and striking that these imply the probabilities of his specialty in creating individualistic style in the poetic world of Bangladesh. He has as many as 23 books to his credit including poetry, research, travelogue, edited books and 38 articles on literatures and culture. Uncompromising in life-struggle Bimal never bends down to the ungraceful. He has revolting fire in himself; he struggles with quick-sand all through his life. During seventies, specially after the liberation war, those who transformed Bangladesh poetry into a newer consciousness and human rejuvenation and have developed expression of art to arrest time and space into a newer vision, Bimal is remarkable of them. He is associated with many literary and cultural organizations including Bangladesh Writers Club, Editing and Publication Association of Bangladesh, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
and Bangla Academy
.
Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam has described in an introductory note- ‘Bimal Guha’s poems are about the problems of our time, more particularly about the difficulties of adjustment that a feeling and thinking individual faces in an increasingly alienating world. As values are forgotten or become obsolete, and relationships become problematic, individuals have to struggle to cling to their dreams. Guha writes movingly about love which can offer a way out but which is constantly thwarted by a mechanical universe. Guha also writes about the need for social change. What makes his poems remarkable is his crisp style which both invokes the rich tradition of the 1930s and charts its distance from it. His diction is personal, contemporary and colloquial. His poems are indeed records of a creative pursuit that excels when it find challenges’.
British poet Benjamin Zephaniah
has remarked in an interview- ‘Bimal’s poetry is so conversational, and he is also very passionate about the poetry of 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...
i poet, and a leading poet of his generation. He appeared on the literary scene of Bangladesh in the seventies of last century. His themes revolve around our war of liberation and the eternal subjects of love, nature, motherland, mother-tongue, tradition, and modernity.
Life and work
Bimal Guha was born at Bajalia village under Satkania Upajila of ChittagongChittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
district. He is the eldest among the four children of Prasanna Kumar Guha and Manadabala Guha. He had his early education at local Bajalia High School and his Secondary and Higher Secondary education during 1968-70 at Satkania College. He received his MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Bengali literature from the University of Chittagong in 1975. Later he studied publishing studies at Napier Polytechnic of Edinburgh (Napier University
Napier University
Edinburgh Napier is one of the largest higher education institutions in Scotland with over 17,000 students, including nearly 5,000 international students, from more than 100 nations worldwide.-History:...
), UK. He also received higher training in editing and publication from Philippines and Thailand. He had his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in modern Bengali poetry from the University of Dhaka
University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka is the oldest university in Bangladesh. It is a multi-disciplinary research university and is among the top universities in the region. Established on July 21, 1921, as per the Government of India Act, 1920, it was modelled on the Universities in England and soon gained...
in 1997. In personal life he married Meena Guha in 1980 and they have three daughters. Dr. Guha has been working at the University of Dhaka since 1979 and now heads an administrative office.
Bimal Guha entered the literary arena in 1968 while he was in school. He read the Sanchaita (collected poems) by Rabindranath Tagore during his leisure time after secondary examination. He was then inspired by it and took pen for writing. His first poem Akash (The Sky) which was published in Satkania college magazine Rashmi in 1969 and almost at the same time his poems began to appear in different literary periodicals and literary sections of the newspapers. His first book of poems Ahongkar, Tomar Shabdo (Pride, Your Words) is published in 1982, and then he transcends into newer perceptions from one volume to another. Without following the regular path of his predecessors he creates his own way and style of writing. Imagery, simile, metaphors and symbolisms that Bimal applies in his poems are so very special and striking that these imply the probabilities of his specialty in creating individualistic style in the poetic world of Bangladesh. He has as many as 23 books to his credit including poetry, research, travelogue, edited books and 38 articles on literatures and culture. Uncompromising in life-struggle Bimal never bends down to the ungraceful. He has revolting fire in himself; he struggles with quick-sand all through his life. During seventies, specially after the liberation war, those who transformed Bangladesh poetry into a newer consciousness and human rejuvenation and have developed expression of art to arrest time and space into a newer vision, Bimal is remarkable of them. He is associated with many literary and cultural organizations including Bangladesh Writers Club, Editing and Publication Association of Bangladesh, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh was established as the Asiatic Society of Pakistan in Dhaka in 1952. It was renamed as the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in 1972. Ahmed Hasan Dani, a noted historian and archaeologist of Pakistan played an important role in founding this society. He was assisted by...
and Bangla Academy
Bangla Academy
Bangla Academy , established on 3 December 1955, is the national academy for promoting Bangla language in Bangladesh. The main office of the organization is located at the Burdwan House, once a part of the campus of the University of Dhaka, beside Suhrawardy Udyan.-History:The importance of...
.
Critical acclaim
Poet-Critic Shudhasattwa Bose of West Bengal, India remarked- ‘Since the seventies, poems developed a newer feelings and understanding, poetic diction has changed, delivery of words and phrases has totally changed overnight. It has started a new without touching the old totally. We can take references from Bimal’s poems’.Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam has described in an introductory note- ‘Bimal Guha’s poems are about the problems of our time, more particularly about the difficulties of adjustment that a feeling and thinking individual faces in an increasingly alienating world. As values are forgotten or become obsolete, and relationships become problematic, individuals have to struggle to cling to their dreams. Guha writes movingly about love which can offer a way out but which is constantly thwarted by a mechanical universe. Guha also writes about the need for social change. What makes his poems remarkable is his crisp style which both invokes the rich tradition of the 1930s and charts its distance from it. His diction is personal, contemporary and colloquial. His poems are indeed records of a creative pursuit that excels when it find challenges’.
British poet Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah is an English writer and dub poet. He is a well-known figure in contemporary English literature, and was included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008....
has remarked in an interview- ‘Bimal’s poetry is so conversational, and he is also very passionate about the poetry of Bangladesh’.
Poetry
- Ahongkar, Tomar Shabdo (1982)
- Sanko Par Hole Kholapath (1985)
- Swapne Jwale Shartohin Bhor (1986)
- Bhalobasar Kobita (1989)
- Poetry (1989)
- Nasto Manush O Onnanno Kobita (1995)
- Pratibadi Shabder Michhil (2000)
- Nirbachito Kobita (2001)
- Selected Poems of Bimal Guha (Tr. Siddique Mahmudur Rahman) (2010)
- Amra Rayechhi Mati Chhunye (2011)
Juvenile poetry
- Megh Gurgur Brishti Name (2000)
- Aguner Dim (2001)
- Chadai Chhana (2002)
- Shada Megher Bhela (2008)
Research
- Ohidul Alam : Life and Literature (1999)
- Adhunik Bangla Kobitay Lokojo Upadan (2001)
Awards and honour
- Young Writers National Literary Award for poetry by Ministry of Information, Govt. of Bangladesh (1979)
- Kingbadontir Amra National Literary Award for poetry (1385 Bangla Era)
- Bangabandhu Memorial Award (1408 Bangla Era)
- Palal Prokashani 50th Birth anniversary celebration (2002)
- Poet-Celebrity of Bangladesh Writers’ Club (2002)
- Shilpa O Sahitya (literary journal) ed.Ferdous Salam, Vol.2, no.1, Oct. 2002, Special issue on Bimal Guha
- Bimal Guha: Kobi-O-Kobita, a book ed. Farook Mahmud & Khan Mahbub, Palal Prokashani, Dhaka, Oct. 2003
- Faridpur Nirnoy Shilpigoshthi Gold Medal (2008)
- Poet Jibanananda Das Award (2009).