Waheedul Haq
Encyclopedia
Waheedul Haq (March 16, 1933 - January 27, 2007), born in Dhaka
, Bangladesh
, was a veteran Journalist
, writer, musicologist, and an expert and teacher of Tagore songs . He was also a cultural leader and thinker, a campaigner-activist for social-political-cultural causes, and an organiser of several cultural institutions and events. He is a recipient of the prestigious Ekushey Padak
, Dhaka
. His father,Mazharul Haq, was a member of Bengal legislative assembly in 1946. Mewa Begum was his mother. Waheedul was the eldest among three brothers and two sisters. His brother Rezaul Haq is a journalist while another brother Ziaul Haq was a martyr in 1971. Waheedul Haq grew up in the old part of Dhaka city, and was educated in the Dhaka College.
, which played a vital role in the cultural-political movements during late 1960s, prior to the country's liberation war. Apart from establishing Chhayanat in 1961, along with some other enlightened persons Haq also founded a number of prominent cultural organisations like Kanthashilon, Nalonda, Anandadhani, Fulki, Bratochari Samity and Bashanto Utsab Udjapon Parishad. He also formed the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilon Parishad in 1980. Haq was also involved in filmmaking and the film society movement during the 1960s. He also composed the musical scores for noted Indian director Ritwik Ghatak's film Titash Ekti Nadir Naam
- the post-production of which was done after the death of the director. Some of his articles on music and society have been compiled and published as books, namely 'Gaaner Bhitor Diye' (Seen Through Music) and 'Chetonadharay Esho' (Come With The Stream Of Consciousness).
, where he worked as an Assistant Editor and later as a Joint Editor. He was a shift in-charge of the Daily Observer in the 1960s. He also worked in The People, The Morning News and The New Nation. Since the late 1990s he wrote extensively as a freelance columnist in a number of Bengali newspapers including The Daily Bhorer Kagoj and Daily Janakantha.
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, 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...
, was a veteran Journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, writer, musicologist, and an expert and teacher of Tagore songs . He was also a cultural leader and thinker, a campaigner-activist for social-political-cultural causes, and an organiser of several cultural institutions and events. He is a recipient of the prestigious 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...
Early life
Waheedul Haq (also spelled Waheedul Haque, Wahidul Haque) was born on March 16, 1933 at Bhawal Monoharia village under Keraniganj UpazilaKeraniganj Upazila
Keraniganj is an Upazila of Dhaka District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Geography:Keraniganj is located at . Keraniganj stands on the southwest side of Dhaka City on the bank of the river Buriganga...
, Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
. His father,Mazharul Haq, was a member of Bengal legislative assembly in 1946. Mewa Begum was his mother. Waheedul was the eldest among three brothers and two sisters. His brother Rezaul Haq is a journalist while another brother Ziaul Haq was a martyr in 1971. Waheedul Haq grew up in the old part of Dhaka city, and was educated in the Dhaka College.
Career and contribution
Waheedul Haq was the founder of ChhayanatChhayanat
Chhayanat is a cultural organization in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Founded in 1961 in Dhaka, Chhayanat remains one of the most influential cultural groups in the country. As in the case of many similar organizations, it was established during the Pakistani rule in Bangladesh to promote and nurture the...
, which played a vital role in the cultural-political movements during late 1960s, prior to the country's liberation war. Apart from establishing Chhayanat in 1961, along with some other enlightened persons Haq also founded a number of prominent cultural organisations like Kanthashilon, Nalonda, Anandadhani, Fulki, Bratochari Samity and Bashanto Utsab Udjapon Parishad. He also formed the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilon Parishad in 1980. Haq was also involved in filmmaking and the film society movement during the 1960s. He also composed the musical scores for noted Indian director Ritwik Ghatak's film Titash Ekti Nadir Naam
Titash Ekti Nadir Naam
Titash Ekti Nadir Naam is a 1973 Bengali film directed by Ritwik Ghatak. The movie was based on a novel by the same name, written by Advaita Malla Burman. The movie explores the life of the fishermen on the bank of the Titash River in Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh.Rosy Samad, Golam Mostafa, Kabori,...
- the post-production of which was done after the death of the director. Some of his articles on music and society have been compiled and published as books, namely 'Gaaner Bhitor Diye' (Seen Through Music) and 'Chetonadharay Esho' (Come With The Stream Of Consciousness).
Journalism
During his fifty five year-long career in journalism, Waheedul Haq served in some major English dailies of the country, including The Daily StarThe Daily Star (Bangladesh)
The Daily Star is the largest circulating English daily newspaper in Bangladesh. Established by Syed Mohammed Ali in 14 January 1991, the newspaper is owned by Mediastar a venture of the Transcom Group, headed by Latifur Rahman...
, where he worked as an Assistant Editor and later as a Joint Editor. He was a shift in-charge of the Daily Observer in the 1960s. He also worked in The People, The Morning News and The New Nation. Since the late 1990s he wrote extensively as a freelance columnist in a number of Bengali newspapers including The Daily Bhorer Kagoj and Daily Janakantha.