Shawkat Osman inspired a generation

The writings of novelist Shawkat Osman not only met the demand of readers, but also played a significant role in creating a progressive generation who fought against communalism and anti-liberation forces, a discussion was told yesterday.

Novelists like him are rare and valuable assets of the Bengali literature, and readers could make him immortal through reading his books and upholding his spirit, the speakers said.

The discussion was part of a programme marking Osman's 100th birth anniversary, organised in Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium of the capital's central public library.

Kathashilpi Shawkat Osman Smriti Parishad and Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi jointly organised the two-day programme, starting yesterday.

The writer of "Jononi” and “Kritodasher Hashi” was influenced by a wave in the Bengali literature in the late 1930s when the creations of the writers were multi-dimensional and satiristic, they said.

He had great courage; he was never afraid of any anti-people force, and with that spirit, he wrote Kritodasher Hashi during the then autocratic regime of Pakistan, they said.  

"The writings of Shawkat Osman incited the Bengali people against all evil forces and inspired the nation to move forward," said Abu Hena, former chief election commissioner.

Writer Ahmed Rafiq said Osman was committed to changing the society, and he strongly maintained the sprit of Bangladeshi nationalism and socialism together.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith said that although Osman was 17 years older than him, they had a good relationship. He said he always saw a revolutionary character inside the writer.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor said the government had taken several initiatives to spread the spirit of the writer across the country.

He said from the Bangla Academy they were publishing Osman's books, and had taken initiatives to send the books to the libraries of universities and district headquarters.

Yafes Osman, son of the writer and minister for science and technology, urged all to come forward to preserve the memory of the writer.

A memorial book and a photo album on the writer were unveiled at the programme.