Published on 12:00 AM, February 28, 2020

ekushey spotlight

‘Tungipara Theke Dhanmondi 32’

Shah Alam Shazu’s tribute to the Father of the Nation

"The greatness of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman cannot be captured in one or two books," says Shah Alam Shazu, a popular writer-journalist who has authored 45 published books. His latest book, Tungipara Theke Dhanmondi 32, portrays the storied political career of Bangabandhu in over 90 short stories, all coming together to form a beautiful vignette of the rise of the man who carved independence for the nation. Renowned artist Dhruba Esh has designed the book's cover.

The book does a wonderful job of presenting Bangabandhu's initial years of political activism, alongside lesser-known stories that are bound to inspire its readers. "It is challenging to write about a figure who is revered around the world – a lot of research had to go into it," says Shazu, who has idolised Bangabandhu since he was a young boy. "There is so much to talk about when you are addressing the great man."

The stories that are present in the book are fascinating, ranging from the times Bangabandhu was active in mitigating the communal violence that took place in Calcutta in 1946, to the time that he decided that the National Anthem will be Amar Shonar Bangla on a flight alongside Dr Kamal Hossain and Shashanka S Banerjee. Tungipara Theke Dhanmondi 32 is a fitting read for anyone who wants to know about the struggles and triumphs of Bangabandhu in depth.

The book, published by Somoy Prokashoni, is available at their stall (pavilion 27) in the Ekushey Boi Mela for BDT 460.