Rashid Karim remembered

Rubi Rahman speaks at the event.

Bangla Academy held a memorial meeting on the recently deceased novelist Rashid Karim on December 1 at the academy's Rabindra Chattor.
The discussants spoke on Karim's life and works. Karim was recognised for his unpretentious language. He always wrote with conviction. Besides novels, he published short stories and essays.
Writer Hamid Kaisar, Professor Mozzafar Ahmed, poet Mahadev Saha, poet Belal Chowdhury, poet Rubi Rahman, publisher and writer Mofidul Haque, writer Hasnat Abul Hai and Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla Academy, among others, spoke on the occasion. Veteran educationist Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui presided over the meeting.
Belal Chowdhury said, “He was one of the most prolific and significant writers in Bangla literature. 'Uttam Purush' is one of his greatest creations.”
Mozzafar Ahmed said, “Karim's novels 'Amar Jato Glani', 'Mayer Kachhe Jachchi' and 'Podotole Rokto' brilliantly depict various aspects of the Liberation War. Karim would be remembered as a nationalist writer.”
Mahadev Saha said, “He was affable, progressive and sophisticated.”
About Karim, Hasnat Abdul Hai said, “He shied away from any exposure and commercial lures. He was an introverted writer.”
A documentary on life and works of the litterateur was also screened at the event.
Karim was born in Kolkata, British India in 1925. He completed his BA from the Calcutta Islamia College. After the Partition (1947), his family moved to Dhaka.
Some of Karim's notable works include “Uttam Purush”, “Prashanno Pashan”, “Amar Joto Glani” “Prem Ekti Lal Golap”, “Shadharon Lok-er Kahini”, “Ekaler Roopkotha”, “Shonar Pathor Bati”, “Mayer Kachhe Jachchi”, “Chini Na” and “Boroi Nihshongo”.
For his outstanding contribution to Bangla literature, Karim received the Adamjee Award (1969), Bangla Academy Award (1972), Ekushey Padak (1984), Lekhika Sangha Award (1991) and several other honours.