Remembering Shawkat Osman

(From left) Professor Biswajit Ghosh, National Professor Kabir Chowdhury, Professor Bulbon Osman and writer Purobi Basu at the discussion.

On the occasion of the 94th birth anniversary of noted novelist Shawkat Osman, Bangla Academy organised a memorial programme at the Seminar Hall of the academy on January 2. Professor Bulbon Osman, writer Purobi Basu and Professor Biswajit Ghosh were present as discussants, while National Professor Kabir Chowdhury presided over the meeting.
The discussants focused on Shawkat Osman's life and his unique style of writing.
Biswajit Ghosh said, “Osman treaded many paths of our literary arena. Needless to say, he was versatile and his style was unparalleled. He was also a Language Movement veteran. He believed in secularism and his writings helped explore uncharted areas. Throughout his life, Osman was true to his identity as a Bengali.”
Professor Bulbon Osman, Shawkat Osman's son, said, “He had lived a life of struggles. He was honest and bold. He wrote what he believed. He observed social dilemmas closely and his writings reflected those issues.
“My father was a true music enthusiast. He wrote many songs. When he visited London in 1965, he came back with a gramophone. He was a great fan of Bade Ghulam Ali. He had a close relationship with Ustad Ravi Shankar and other noted musicians.”
National Professor Kabir Chowdhury said, “Osman was very witty. He was a voracious reader. He had keen interest in music, art, literature, science, sociology, anthropology and more. He established himself in the arena of culture and literature as a freethinker. He took a bold stance against fundamentalism. His works will remain a source of inspiration for future generations.”