Sunday, November 8, 2009

Hasan Azizul Huq, an epitome of literature

Ershad Kamol

•   Part 1
•   Part 2
•   Part 3

Hasan Azizul Huq is one of the best writers in Bangladesh. A professor of philosophy, Huq has earned huge popularity amongst the Bengali speaking people across the world by his experimentation and introduction of modern idioms in his writings. His craftsmanship and use of symbols have earned him acclaims. His short stories explore the psychological depths of human beings as well as portray the lives of the peasants of Bangladesh.

Huq has received most of the major literary awards of Bangladesh including the Bangla Academy Award in 1970. His short stories such as "Samudrer Swapna, Shiter Aranya", "Atmaja O Ekti Karabi Gachh", "Jiban Ghashe Agun", "Namhin Gotrohin", "Patale Haspatale", "Ma Meyer Songsar", "Raarhbanger Galpo", "Brittayan", Agunpakhi" and "Ke Banche Ke Banchay" are considered as the representatives of contemporary Bangla classics.

In an interview with The Daily Star Online, Hasan Azizul Huq has shared his observation on the current trend of Bangla literature, its potential and future.

Not only Bangla literature, according to Huq, the world literature as a whole has lost its grandeur due to the adverse impact of free market economy and technology.

Set against the backdrop of socio-political turmoil it is quite natural that the writers will deal with shallow topics, say Huq, contemporary Bangla literature is no exception. According to him, a few writers in the world are now featuring humanism in literature and the impact of socio-political turmoil in literature.

Huq says Bangla literature is backward because of language constraints. Still Bangla language has not access to the West like Latin. That does not mean that there is no talented writer in Bangla literature. He hopes that when the country will be become financially solvent, Bangla literature will attain global acclaims.