148th birth anniversary of Promoth Chowdhury

Promoth Chowdhury, one of the leading writers of the early 19th century had his roots in Haripur village of Chatmohar upazila in Pabna. However, he is barely remembered in his home district. No steps have been taken to keep alive his memory, while his village ancestral home has fallen prey to encroachers.

A discussion was held to mark the 148th birth anniversary of Promoth Chowdhury. The event was organised by Promoth Chowdhury Smrity Shangrakhhan Parishad at the Onabil News Portal office premises in Chatmohar upazila recently. The speakers stressed on the need to preserve the memory of Chowdhury in his home district.

Educationalist Taposh Ranjan Tolapatra chaired the discussion while those who spoke on the life and work of the author were Sharif Mahamud Shanju, principal Abdur Rahim Kalu, principal Saradar Ali Hyder, advocate Abdul Momin and poet Isharat Ali.

 The speakers said that Chowdhury played a prime role in the flowering of Bangla prose in the early 19th century.  His writing technique was emulated by other Bengali prose writers.

Chowdhury's family left their native village after Partition in1947, leaving behind substantial assets. Later, his ancestral house and property were ransacked by nefarious elements.

Among Chowdhury's notable books are Tel-Noon-Lakri (1906) Beerboler Halkhata (1916), Nana Kotha (1919) and Probhondo Sangraha (1952-53). He was also a talented poet. Panchashat (1913) and Podacharn (1919) are his sonnet books.

Towards end of his life Chowdhury immersed himself in editing Bishwa Bharati. He passed away on September 2, 1946 in Kolkata.