Remembering a literary icon

Luminaries at the book launch.

The Sayeed Ahmad Foundation for Culture and Arts (SAFCA) arranged a publication ceremony of “Collected Works of Sayeed Ahmad” published by the Bangla academy on July 3 at the Bengal Café in Dhanmondi.
Sayeed Ahmad was a playwright, art critic, essayist and a scholar. He was recipient of Ekushey Padak, the Bangla Academy Award and “Officer de L'ordre des Arts et des Letters” by the French Government, and several other national and international recognitions.
Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Chowdhury was present as chief guest at the ceremony. Theatre personality Aly Zaker; Sonia Nishat Amin, Professor, Department of History, University of Dhaka; Professor Ferdous Azim, chairperson of the English Department, BRAC University;Professor Fakhrul Alam, English Department, Dhaka University and Lalon singer Farida Parveen, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Theatre personality Ataur Rahman, also president of SAFCA, Perveen Ahmad (widow of Sayeed Ahmad), vice-president of SAFCA and Mosharraf Hussain Tutul, general secretary of the organisation, were also present at the programme.
About the iconic Ahmed Professor Fakhrul Alam said, “Sayeed bhai was friendly and an affectionate personality. Mingling sophistication and simplicity, his warm and loving personality overwhelmed me. He was very close to legendary philosopher Edward Said and other contemporary thinkers, writers and painters. He was cosmopolitan and yet deeply rooted in the Bangladeshi culture. He was a great promoter of Bangladeshi art and was also well-informed about the different fine arts.”
Aly Zaker said, “Sayeed bhai was a modern freethinker. He was an entertainer, hilarious and at times he had a serious academic temperament. He was a great conversationalist. He guided us to immerse in knowledge and many creative activities. Among his most provocative plays are'Kalbela' and 'Trishna'. His plays have been translated into English, French, German and Italian.”
Ataur Rahman said, “Sayeed Ahmad was well known to the BTV audience for his 'Bishwa Natok' where he introduced and directed plays of international fame. The impact of his works on our theatre is awe-inspiring, and his knowledge of the performing art form was vast.”