Litterateur Rashid Karim passes away
Noted author Rashid Karim died at Ibrahim Cardiac Centre in Dhaka on November 26. He was 86. He was ailing from age-related complications. Karim was laid to rest at Mirpur Intellectuals' Graveyard on November 26.
Writers, poets, journalists, educationists and cultural activists assembled at the Bangla Academy premises to pay their final homage to the author.
Educationist Zillur Rahman Siddiqui; Abul Hasnat, editor of literary magazine Kali O Kalam; historian Salahuddin Ahmed; essayist and literary critic Borhanuddin Khan Jahangir; journalist Ataus Samad; Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla Academy; publisher and writer Mofidul Haque; writers Ahmed Mustafa Kamal, Hamid Kaisar, Ahmed Mazhar; poets Belal Chowdhury, Muhammad Samad and Aslam Sani, among others, paid their respects, placing wreaths and bouquets on Karim's coffin.
Professor Muzzafar Ahmed said, “Karim was very affable. He created a unique literary style. His first novel 'Uttam Purush' won Adamjee Award. The novel's language is quite straightforward and interesting.”
Shamsuzzaman Khan said, “I believe that Karim was one of the finest writers in our country.”
Mofidul Haque said, “He was very confident about his writing. He wrote what he believed in. He taught us about the ecstasy of obtaining knowledge and passion.”
Poet Mahadev Saha said, “Karim was an introvert. He was one of those who meticulously handled content and different forms of novels. Many of his works have become classics for their literary and sociological value. He was very close to the late poet Shamsur Rahman.”
Karim was born in Kolkata in 1925. He completed his BA from the Calcutta Islamia College. After the Partition (1947), his family moved to Dhaka.
Some of Karim's notable works include “Uttam Purush”, “Prashanno Pashan”, “Amar Joto Glani” “Prem Ekti Lal Golap”, “Shadharan Lok-er Kahini”, “Ekaler Roopkotha”, “Shonar Pathor Bati”, “Mayer Kachhe Jachchi”, “Chini Na” and “Boroi Nishongo”.
For his outstanding contribution to Bangla literature, Karim received the Adamjee Award (1969), Bangla Academy Award (1972), Ekushey Padak (1984), Lekhika Sangha Award (1991) and many other prestigious awards.
Comments