‘We have to carry his mantle forward’

Choosing substance over publicity, poet, essayist, and editor Abul Hasnat devoted his life to improve the culture of the country. For this, the vacuum created by the Kali O Kalam maginze editor's demise is irreparable.

His fellows and admirers made these observations at a remembrance programme yesterday, organised by Bengal Foundation to mark his first death anniversary.

Abul Hasnat died on November 1 last year, at the age of 75.

At the programme, friends and followers remembered Hasnat through emotional reminiscences, evaluation of his work, exhibition of documentaries, and publication of a memorabilia book on him.

During his speech, Dhaka University Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury said, "The darkness of communalism has settled in… The culture required for the development of democratic consciousness is non-existent. Today, a cultural awakening is very much needed."

"Abul Hasnat has worked for this culture all his life. But as he is no more, we have to pick up his mantle and carry on," he said.

Writer and academic Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam said "The culture of a country does not develop in one day. For this, many people have been working behind the scenes for a long time."

Terming Hasnat as one, he said, "He has created new writers and shown them new ways of thinking."

Among others, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, Kali o Kalam Publisher Abul Khair, Hasnat's wife and journalist Nasimun Ara Haque Minu, Chhayanaut Executive President Sarwar Ali, and thespian Ramendu Majumdar spoke at the programme.

Meanwhile, in a statement published yesterday, Nasimun Ara Haque Minu said a special prayer for session will take place at Hasnat's house on Friday.

Born in 1945 in old Dhaka, Hasnat was vice-president of Chhatra Union in 1971, playing a significant role during the Liberation War while staying in India.

Under Hasnat's editorship, doyens like Anisuzzaman, Shamsur Rahman, and Syed Shamsul Haque used to write for the Daily Sangbad's literary section.

Under his leadership, the Kali O Kalom magazine has been published for the last two decades.

He has written and edited many books – "Jyotsna and Durbipak", "Kono Akdin Bhubandangay", "Steamer City Diye Jay", "Tuku O Somudrer Golpo", "Youddya Diner Dhushor Dupure", "Ranur Dhokha-Bhalobasha", "Rabindra-Chitrakalan", "Muktijudder Golpo", "Harono Shirir Chabir Khoje" and "Chotoder Abraham Lincoln", and many more.

Hasnat also wrote poetry under the pseudonym Mahmud Al Zaman.

He was also a key organiser of Chhayanaut.