Maniruddin Yusuf's role in literature recalled

The translation of the Persian epic, Shahnameh, by Maniruddin Yusuf is a significant work, said speakers at a memorial discussion yesterday.

Alongside numerous translations from Persian and Urdu, Maniruddin also helped enrich Bangla literature both as a writer and a poet through his own writings, they said.

Maniruddin Yusuf Janmo Shato Barsho Jatiya Udjapan Parishad arranged the discussion at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital, celebrating his birth centenary.

Addressing the discussion, Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman said apart from knowledge in Bangla, Maniruddin was also enormously knowledgeable in Persian, Urdu and English languages.

His translation of Shahnameh in Bangla is a significant work while his original writing “Urdu Shahityer Itihash” is also a reliable work.

Yusuf enriched Bangla literature through translations of the works of Persian poets Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi and Mirza Ghalib, and poet Allama Iqbal of the subcontinent, he added.

“Hopefully, younger generation will know more about him,” he said.

Maniruddin Yusuf was born on February 13, 1919 at his maternal grandparents' house in Kishoreganj. He died on February 11, 1987 in Dhaka.

His translation of Shahnameh was published in two volumes in 1977 and in 1979.

Fazle Rabbi, former director of Bangla Academy, said Maniruddin Yusuf started translation at a time when there was a scarcity of quality translators.

His daughter Fatema Jebunnesa said they will arrange different programmes throughout the year to mark her father's birth centenary to be celebrated in 2019.