Shamsur Rahman - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

See Shamshur Rahman
Shamshur Rahman
Shamshur Rahman is a literary critic in Urdu language. Editor of a literary journal, Shabkhoon.-External links:...

for the critic from India
India
India , 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...

.

For the Bangladeshi cricketer, see Shamsur Rahman (cricketer)
Shamsur Rahman (cricketer)
Mohammad Shamsur Rahman is a First class and List A cricketer from Bangladesh. He was born on 5 June 1988 in Comilla, Chittagong and is a right-handed batsman and right arm medium pace bowler. Sometimes referred to on scoresheets by his nickname Shuvo he made his debut for Khulna Division in...

.

Shamsur Rahman (Bangla: শামসুর রাহমান Shamsur Rŭhman) (October 23, 1929 – August 17, 2006) was a 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, columnist and journalist. Rahman, who emerged in the latter half of the 20th century, wrote more than sixty books of poetry and is considered a key figure in Bengali literature

Bengali literature

Bengali literature is literary works written in Bengali language particularly from Bangladesh and the Indian provinces of West Bengal and Tripura. The history of Bengali literature traces back hundreds of years while it is impossible to separate the literary trends of the two Bengals during the...

. He was regarded the unofficial poet laureate of Bangladesh. Major themes in his poetry and writings include liberal humanism, human relations, romanticised rebellion of youth, the emergence of and consequent events in Bangladesh, and opposition to religious fundamentalism.

Life in Brief

Shamsur Rahman was born in his grandfather's house 46 no. Mahut-Tuli, 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 paternal home is situated on the bank of the river Meghna, a village named Pahartoli, near the Raipura thana of Narshingdi district. He was the fourth of thirteen children. He studied at Pogos High School from where he passed matriculation in 1945. Later he took his I.A. as a student of the Dhaka College

Dhaka College

, located in Dhaka, is one of Bangladesh's earliest and most prestigious higher educational institutions. It offers both four years bachelor's and one years masters course in various majors, but it is best known for HSC...

. Shamsur Rahman started writing poetry at the age of eighteen, just after graduating from the Dhaka College

Dhaka College

. He studied English literature at the Dhaka University for three years but did not take the examination. After a break of three years he got admitted to the B.A. pass course and received his B.A.

Bachelor of Arts

A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...

in 1953. He also received his M.A.

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 the same subject where he stood second in second division.

In his leisure after the matriculation, he read the Golpo Guccho of Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...

. He told that this book took him into the extra ordinary world and transformed him into an altogether different personality. In 1949, his poem "Unissho Unoponchash" was published in "Sonar Bangla" which was then edited by Nalinikishor Guho.

He had a long career as a journalist and served as the editor of a national daily, Dainik Bangla and the weekly Bichitra in the 1980s. A shy person by nature, he became an outspoken liberal intellectual in the 1990s against religious fundamentalism and reactionary nationalism in Bangladesh. As a consequence, he became a frequent target of the politically conservative as well as Islamists of the country. This culminated in the January 1999 attack on his life by the militant Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami

Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami

Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami is an Islamic fundamentalist organization most active in South Asian countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and India since the early 1990s. It was banned in Bangladesh in 2005. The operational commander of HuJI, Ilyas Kashmiri, was reportedly killed in a U.S. Predator drone...

. He survived the attempt.

His health broke down towards the end of 1990s and on two occasions he received major cardiac surgery. He died in 2006 of heart and kidney failure after having been in a coma for 12 days.

Poetry

Shamsur Rahman's first book of poetry, "Prothom Gaan Dwityo Mrittyur Agey" (Tr. First Song Before the Second Death) was published in 1960. He had to go through the political turbulence of 60's and 70's which also reflected in his poems clearly. He wrote his famous poem "Asader Shirt" which was written with respect to the mass uprising of 1969 led by Maulana Bhasani. During the Bangladesh Liberation War

Bangladesh Liberation War

The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....

he wrote a number of extra ordinary poems based on the war. These poems were so inspiring that they were recited at the camps of freedom fighters. Later these poems were published in "Bondi Shibir Theke" (Tr. From Confinement in Enemy Territory) in 1972. Later he continued writing poems in the independent Bangladesh and remained as the poet whose poems reflect the history of the nation. During the historical movement against Ershad

Ershad

Ershad is the transliteration of an Arabic given name meaning "universal guidance". Ershad also means "recite" in Urdu language.Popular people named Ershad include:*Hussain Muhammad Ershad is a former Army General, and a former president of Bangladesh...

he published his book "Buk Tar Bangladesher Hridoy" indicating the great sacrifice of Nur Hossain

Nur Hossain

Nur Hossain is perhaps the most widely known martyr in the movement in Bangladesh against the dictatorship of General Hossain Mohammad Ershad. Neither well-off nor highly educated, Nur Hossain embodied the struggle of common people of the country.Nur Hossain was born in Narinda, Dhaka, in 1961....

Poetic diction

Shamsur Rahman wrote most of his poems in free verse, often with the rhythm style known as Poyaar or Okhshorbritto. It is popularly known that he followed this pattern from poet Jibanananda Das

Jibanananda Das

Jibanananda Das was a noted Bengali poet. He is considered one of the precursors who introduced modernist poetry to Bengali Literature, at a period when it was influenced by Rabindranath Tagore's Romantic poetry....

. He also wrote poems in two other major patterns of Bengali rhythmic style, namely, Matrabritto and Shwarobritto.

Career In Journalism

Shamsur Rahman started his professional career as a co-editor in the English daily "Morning News" in 1957. Later he left this job and went to the Dhaka center of the then Radio Pakistan. But he returned back to his own rank at "Morning News" in 1960 and was there till 1964. After the liberation of Bangladesh he wrote columns in the daily Dainik Bangla. In 1977 he became the editor of this daily. He also jointly worked as the editor of "Bichitra", a popular weekly published since 1973. During the period of President Ershad he got involved with internal turbulence in the "Dainik Bangla". A rank 'Chief Editor' was created to take away his position as the top executive and rip him off all executive powers. In 1987 he left the daily as a protest against this injustice. He also worked as the editor of monthly literary magazine Adhuna for two years since 1986. and as the main editor of the weekly Muldhara in 1989. He worked as one of the editors of Kobikantha, an irregular poetry magazine, in 1956.

Critical acclaim

Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, a friend and critic, describes Shamsur Rahman as one who is "deeply rooted in his own tradition." In his opinion, Shamsur Rahman "still soaks the language of our times, transcending the limits of geography. In his range of sympathy, his catholicity, his urgent and immediate relevance for us, Shamsur Rahman is second to none."

Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam has similar praise for Rahman, "It is true he has built on the ground of the 30's poets, but he has developed the ground, explored into areas they thought too dark for exploration, has added new features to it, landscaped it and in the process left his footprints all over."

In the year 1993 renowned Bangladeshi writer Humayun Azad

Humayun Azad

Humayun Azad was a prolific Bangladeshi author and scholar. He wrote more than seventy titles...

wrote a book about critical analysis of Shamsur Rahman's poetry titled 'Shmasur Rahman : Nisshongo Sherpa' (tr. A lonely Climber).

However, it is often alleged that Shamsur Rahman revolved around his own poetic formula created in the 1960s and exhausted himself in the same fashion. He could not transcend himself during the next forty years of his poetic career.

Poetry

Prothom Gan Ditio Mrittur Age (1960)
Roudro Korotite (1963)
Biddhosto Nilima (1967)
Niralokay Dibboroth (1968)
Neej Bashbhumay (1970)
Bondi Shibir Theke (1972)
Dusshomoyer Mukhomukhi (1973)
Firiay Nao Ghatok Kata (1974)
Adigonto Nogno Pododhoni (1974)
Ak Dhoroner Ohongkar (1975)
Ami Onahari (1976)
Bangladesh Shopno Dakhay (1977)
Protidin Ghorhin Ghore (1978)
Ekaruser Akash (1982)
Udbhot Uter Pithe Cholche Shodesh (1983)
Nayoker Chaya (1983)
Amar Kono Tara Nei (1984)
Je Ondho Shundori Kade (1984)
Astray Amar Bishshash Nei (1985)
Homerer Shopnomoy Hat (1985)
Shironam Mone Pore Na (1985)
Icchay Hoy Ektu Darai (1985)
Dhulay Goray Shirostran (1985)
Deshodrohi Hote Icchay Kore (1986)
Tableay Applegulo Heshe Othay (1986)
Obirol Jolahromi (1986)
Amra Kojon Shongi (1986)
Jhorna Amar Angulay (1987)
Shopnera Dukray Othay Barbar (1987)
Khub Beshi Valo Thakte Nei (1987)
Moncher Majhkhanay (1988)
Buk Tar Bangladesher Hridoy (1988)
Matal Hrittik
Hridoy Amar Prithibir Alo (1989)
Shay Ak Porobashay(1990)
Grihojudder Agae(1990)
Khondito Gourob(1992)
Dhongsher Kinare Bashay(1992)
Akash Ashbe Neme(1994)
Uzar Baganay(1995)
Asho Kokil Asho Shornochapa
Manob Hridoy Naibeddo Shajai
Hemonto Shondhay Kichukal(1997)
Chayagoner Shonge Kichukkhon
Meghlokay Monoz(1998)
Shoundorjo Amar Ghore(1998)
Ruper Probale Dogdho Shondha(1998)
Tukro Kichu Shonglaper Shako(1998)
Shopno O Dushshopnay Bachay Achi(1999)
Nokkhotro Bajate Bajate(2000)
Shuni Hridoyer Dhoni(2000)
Hridopodmay Jotsna Dolay(2001)
Bhognostupay Golaper Hashi(2002)
Bhangachora Chand Mukh Kalo Kore Dhukchay(2003)
Ak Phota kemon Onol(1986)
Horiner Har(1993)
Gontobbo Nai Ba Thakuk(2004)
Krishnopokkhay Purnimar Dikay(2004)
Gorostanay Kokiler Korun Aaobhan(2005)
Andhokar Theke Aloy(2006)
Na Bastob Na Dushshopno(2006)

Children's Literature

Alating Belating(1974)
Dhan Bhanle Kuro Debo(1977)
Golap Phote Khukir Hatay(1977)
Rongdhonur Shako(1994)
Lal Fulkir Chora(1995)
Noyonar Jonno(1997)
Amer Kuri Jamer Kuri(2004)
Noyonar Jonno(2005)

Poems in Translation

Robert Froster Kobita(1966)
Robert Froster Nirbachito Kobita(1968)
Khawaja Farider Kobita(1968)

Others

Uponnyash Shomogro
Noyonar Uddeshe Golap
Kobitar Shather Gerostali
Gorosthane Kokiler Korun Ahban
Nirbachito[SR] 100 Kobita
Noyonar Jonno Ekti Golap
Shera Shamsur Rahman
Rongdhonur Sako
Shamsur Rahman-er Sreshtha Kobita (1976)
Premer Kobita (1981)
Shamsur Rahmaner Sreshtho Kobita (from Kolkata) (1985)
Shamsur Rahmaner Rajnaitik Kobita (1988)
Shamsur Rahmaner Premer Kobita (1993)
Shonirbachito Premer Kobita (1993)
Nirbachito Chora O Kobita (1996)
Kabbyashombhar (1996)
Chorashomogro (1998)
Prem O Prokitir Kobita (2004)
Shera Shamsur Rahman (2004)
Shamsur Rahman Kobita Shongroho (2005)
Shamsur Rahman Goddo Shongroho (2005)
Kobita Shomogro Ak (2005)
Kobtia Shomogro Dui (2006)

Awards

Adamjee Award (1962)
Bangla Academy Award
Bangla Academy Award
Bangla Academy Award is a literary award given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius in advancement and overall contribution in the field of Bangla language and literature....

(1969)
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...

(1977)
Swadhinata Dibosh Award (1991)
Mitshubishi Award of Japan (1992)
Ananda Puroshker from India (1994).
TLM South Asian Literature Award for the Masters, 2006.

Sample Work

His most famous poem, arguably, is a poem written in 1971 during the liberation war in Bangladesh.

স্বাধীনতা তুমি

স্বাধীনতা তুমি রবি ঠাকুরের অজর কিবতা, অবিনাশী গান

স্বাধীনতা তুমি কাজী নজরুল, ঝাঁকড়া চুলের বাবির দোলানো মহান পুরুষ

সৃষ্টি সুখের উল্লাশে কাঁপা

Shadhinota Tumi

Shadhinota tumi Robi Ţhakurer ôjor kobita, obinashi gan

Shadhinota tumi Kazi Nozrul, jhakŗa chuler babri dolano môhan purush

srishţi-shukher ullashe kãpa ...

Freedom, You

Freedom, you are the immortal poems and songs of Rabindranath

Freedom, you are Kazi Nazrul, the great man with waving unkempt hair,

raptured in your joy of creation ...

the phrase "srishti-sukher ullase" also refers to one of Nazrul's poems "aaj srishti sukher ullase"

External links

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