Discussion today on Syed Abul Maksud's 75th birth anniversary

To mark the 75th birth anniversary of noted columnist, researcher and writer Syed Abul Maksud, a discussion programme has been arranged at The Daily Star Centre this afternoon.

Prof Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury will preside over the programme arranged by the Smriti Sangsad at 3:00 pm today.

Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Mahfuz Anam, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Asif Nazrul, Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Karzon and Robayet Ferdous, are schesuled to attend the programme.

Maksud, son of Syed Abul Mahmud and Saleha Begum, was born in Elachipur village in Shibalaya upazila of Manikganj district on October 23, 1946.

He was awarded the Bangla Academy Award in 1995 for his contribution to Bengali literature. He wrote many books and articles on politics, society, literature and the culture of Bangladesh. He also wrote articles on the biographies and works of famous litterateurs and politicians and practised poetry. The noted essayist has penned 40 books.

Syed Abul Maksud started his journalism career at the weekly Nabajug, edited by M Anisuzzaman, in 1964. This paper was the mouthpiece of the Pakistan Socialist Party. Later, he worked at weekly Janata, supported by the National Awami Party, for some time.  He joined Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha in 1971.

On March 2, 2004, he resigned from the editorial department of the news agency. He was a regular columnist for daily Prothom Alo and wrote columns under 'Sahajia Karcha' and 'Bagha Tentul' on society, politics, literature and culture in the daily.

Maksud's poetry book Bikelbela was published in 1981, the second one Dara Shikoh followed in 1987. He researched the work of eminent writers and politicians such as Rabindranath Tagore, Buddhadeva Bose, Syed Waliullah, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.