Jasimuddin
Encyclopedia
Jasimuddin (full name Jasimuddin Mollah) (1903–1976) was a renowned Bengal
i poet
, songwriter
, prose writer, folklore
collector and radio personality
. He is commonly known in Bangladesh
as Polli Kobi, the Rural Poet for his faithful rendition of Bangla folklore in his works. Jasimuddin was also one of the pioneers of the progressive and non-communal cultural movement in East Pakistan
.
on 1 January 1903 in the house of his maternal uncle. His father, Ansaruddin Mollah, was a school-teacher. Jasimuddin received early education at Faridpur Welfare School. He matriculated from Faridpur Zilla School in 1921. Jasimuddin completed IA from Rajendra College in 1924. He obtained his BA and MA degree in Bangla from the University of Calcutta
in 1929 and 1931 respectively. From 1931 to 1937, Jasimuddin worked with Dinesh Chandra Sen
as a collector of folk literature. Jasimuddin is one of the compilers of Purbo-Bongo Gitika (Ballads of East Bengal). He collected more than 10,000 folk songs, some of which has been included in his song compilations Jari Gaan and Murshida Gaan. He also wrote voluminously on the interpretation and philosophy of Bengali folklore.
Jasimuddin joined the University of Dhaka
in 1938 as a Lecturer. He left the university in 1944 and joined the Department of Information and Broadcasting. He worked there until his retirement as Deputy Director in 1962.
Jasimuddin died on 13 March 1976 and was buried near his ancestral home at Gobindapur, Faridpur.
The poem was placed in the entrance Bangla
textbook while he was still a student of Calcutta University.
Jasimuddin is noted for his depiction of rural life and nature from the viewpoint of rural people. This had earned him fame as Polli Kobi (the rural poet). The structure and content of his poetry bears a strong flavor of Bengal folklore. His Nokshi Kanthar Maath (Field of the Embroidered Quilt) is considered a masterpiece and has been translated into many different languages.
Jasimuddin also composed numerous songs in the tradition of rural Bengal. His collaboration with Abbas Uddin
, the most popular folk singer of Bengal
, produced some of the gems of Bangla folk music, especially of Bhatiali
genre. Jasimuddin also wrote some modern songs for the radio. He was influenced by his neighbor, poet Golam Mostofa
, to write Islamic songs too. Later, during the liberation war of Bangladesh, he wrote some patriotic songs.
He is one of the best poet in Bangladesh.
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
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...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, prose writer, folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
collector and radio personality
Radio personality
A radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...
. He is commonly known in 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...
as Polli Kobi, the Rural Poet for his faithful rendition of Bangla folklore in his works. Jasimuddin was also one of the pioneers of the progressive and non-communal cultural movement in East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
.
Biography
Jasimuddin was born in the village of Tambulkhana in Faridpur DistrictFaridpur District
Faridpur is a district in central Bangladesh. It is a part of the Dhaka Division. Faridpur District has a population of over 1.7 million people and is situated on the banks of the Padma river . It is bordered by Madaripur, Narail, Rajbari, Magura, Shariatpur, Gopalgonj, Dhaka and Manikganj...
on 1 January 1903 in the house of his maternal uncle. His father, Ansaruddin Mollah, was a school-teacher. Jasimuddin received early education at Faridpur Welfare School. He matriculated from Faridpur Zilla School in 1921. Jasimuddin completed IA from Rajendra College in 1924. He obtained his BA and MA degree in Bangla from the University of Calcutta
University of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
in 1929 and 1931 respectively. From 1931 to 1937, Jasimuddin worked with Dinesh Chandra Sen
Dinesh Chandra Sen
Rai Bahadur Dinesh Chandra Sen was an Indian writer in Bengali, educationist and researcher of Bengali folklore...
as a collector of folk literature. Jasimuddin is one of the compilers of Purbo-Bongo Gitika (Ballads of East Bengal). He collected more than 10,000 folk songs, some of which has been included in his song compilations Jari Gaan and Murshida Gaan. He also wrote voluminously on the interpretation and philosophy of Bengali folklore.
Jasimuddin joined 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 1938 as a Lecturer. He left the university in 1944 and joined the Department of Information and Broadcasting. He worked there until his retirement as Deputy Director in 1962.
Jasimuddin died on 13 March 1976 and was buried near his ancestral home at Gobindapur, Faridpur.
Poetry
Jasimuddin started writing poems at an early age. As a college student, he wrote the celebrated poem 'Kabar' (grave), a very simple tone to obtain family-religion and tragedy.The poem was placed in the entrance Bangla
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
textbook while he was still a student of Calcutta University.
Jasimuddin is noted for his depiction of rural life and nature from the viewpoint of rural people. This had earned him fame as Polli Kobi (the rural poet). The structure and content of his poetry bears a strong flavor of Bengal folklore. His Nokshi Kanthar Maath (Field of the Embroidered Quilt) is considered a masterpiece and has been translated into many different languages.
Jasimuddin also composed numerous songs in the tradition of rural Bengal. His collaboration with Abbas Uddin
Abbas Uddin
Abbas Uddin Ahmed , popularly known by his first name, was a Bangla folk singer. He was born at Balarampur in Tufanganj subdivision in the district of Cooch Bihar...
, the most popular folk singer of Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
, produced some of the gems of Bangla folk music, especially of Bhatiali
Bhatiali
Bhatiali or Bhatiyali is a traditional form of folk music in Bengal, Bangladesh and West Bengal. Bhatiyali is a traditional boat song, sung by boatmen while going down streams of the river, as the word Bhatiyali comes from Bhata meaning ebb or downstream It mostly is sung in the Mymensingh District...
genre. Jasimuddin also wrote some modern songs for the radio. He was influenced by his neighbor, poet Golam Mostofa
Golam Mostofa
Golam Mostofa was a Bangladeshi writer and poet.-Life:Golam Mostofa graduated from Kolkata's Ripon College in 1918. He was a teacher of highschool. He worked in all sections of literature. Islamic heritage was one of his inspirations.-Works:He wrote his first poem, Adrianopol Uddhar, in tenth grade...
, to write Islamic songs too. Later, during the liberation war of Bangladesh, he wrote some patriotic songs.
He is one of the best poet in Bangladesh.
Poetry
- Rakhali (1927)
- Nokshi Kanthar Maath (1929)
- Baluchor (1930)
- Dhankhet(1933)
- Sojan Badiyar Ghat (1934)
- Rangila Nayer Majhi (1935)
- Hashu (1938)
- Rupobati (1946)
- Matir Kanna (1951)
- Sakina (1959)
- Suchayani (1961)
- Bhayabaha Sei Dingulite (1972)
- Ma je Jononi Kande(1963)
- Holud Boroni (1966)
- Jole Lekhon (1969)
- Padma Nadir Deshe (1969)
- Beder Meye (1951)
- Kafoner Michil (1978)
Drama
- Padmapar (1950)
- Beder Meye (1951)
- Modhubala (1951)
- Pallibodhu (1956)
- Gramer Maya (1959)
- Ogo Pushpodhonu (1968)
- Asman Shingho (1968)
Memoirs
- Jader Dekhachi (1951)
- Thakur Barir Anginay (1961)
- Jibonkotha (1964)
- Smritipot (1964)
- Smaraner Sarani Bahi (1978)
Travelogues
- Chole Musafir (1952)
- Holde Porir Deshe (1967)
- Je Deshe Manush Boro (1968)
- Germanir Shahare Bandare (1975)
Music books
- Rangila Nayer Majhi
- Padmapar (1950)
- Gangerpar
- Jari Gan
- Murshida Gan
- Rakhali Gan
- Baul
Song Titles
- Amar sonar moyna pakhi
- Amar golar har khule ne
- Amar har kala korlam re
- Amay bhashaili re
- Amay eto raate
- Kemon tomar mata pita
- Nishithe jaio fulobone
- Nodir kul nai kinar nai
- O bondhu rongila
- Prano shokhire
- Rangila nayer majhi
Major honors and awards
- President's Award for Pride of PerformancePride of PerformancePride of Performance , is one of the highest civil award given and conferred by the Pakistan Government to Pakistan's citizens in recognition of distinguished merit in the fields of Literature, Arts, Sports, Medicines, and Science for civilians in most particular cases.The announcement of civil...
, PakistanPakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
(1958) - DLitt. by Rabindra Bharati UniversityRabindra Bharati UniversityRabindra Bharati University is a university in Kolkata, India. It was founded on May 8, 1962, under the Rabindra Bharati Act of the Government of West Bengal in 1961, to mark the birth centenary of the poet Rabindranath Tagore...
, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(1969) - 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...
, Bangladesh (1976)
- Independence Day AwardIndependence Day AwardThe Independence Day Award , also termed Independence Award , is the highest state award given by the government of Bangladesh. Introduced in 1977, this award is bestowed upon Bangladeshi citizens or organizations in recognition of substantial contribution to one of many fields, including the War...
, Bangladesh -posthumous (1978)
Legacy
- A fortnightly festival known as Jasim Mela is observed at Gobindapur each year in January commemorating the birthday of Jasimuddin.
- A residential hall of the University of DhakaUniversity of DhakaThe 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...
bears his name.