'Shawkat Ali was the chronicler of the '60s and '70s'

Speakers at a remembrance program have called on readers to peruse the works of the late novelist Shawkat Ali to understand the transitions of the Bangladeshi society in the '60s and the '70s. Calling the Ekushey Padak-winning writer “the poet of the marginalized people,” they said Shawkat Ali portrayed the heroics and struggles of the marginalized and the oppressed of the society. The event was organized by Dinajpur Journalist’s Association at the National Press Club on Sunday, a month since the death of the writer. Shawkat Ali, one of the best storytellers in modern Bangla literature, died at the age of 82 on January 25. Speakers lamented the fact that his works were not discussed much and did not get the much deserved promotion. Politicians, actors and scholars of literature spoke at the event. Chief guest of the program Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon thanked the association for organizing the discussion program. “It is unfortunately true that we have not done much to show proper respect and discuss the works of this legendary novelist and his contribution to literature,” he said. He said the nation had only two writers, Shawkat Ali and Akhtaruzzaman Elias, who portrayed the changes and transitions of the society in the 60’s and '70s. “The writer perfectly portrayed the despairs of young generation during sixty’s and after the Liberation War,” he said. Menon called for spreading of the literary works of the Shawkat Ali. Shawkat Ali in his first novel Pingal Akash portrayed the coarseness of the urban middle class, its immoral craving for riches. His Pradose Prakrtajan based on history is a unique addition to Bangla fiction and is a masterpiece, speakers said. His trilogy Dakkinayaner Din, Kulay Kalashrot and Purbaratri Purbadin are based on the dreams and political aspirations of the Bengali people in the sixties. Award winning film was made on his another creation Uttorer Khep on liberation struggle. Senior BNP leader Lt Gen (retd.) Mahbubur Rahman said: “With his demise, we lost a writer who portrayed the heroics and struggle of the middle-class and marginalized people of the society.” Born on February 12, 1936, in North Dinajpur (formerly West Dinajpur) of West Bengal, Shawkat Ali became involved in leftist politics during his student days in 1954. He began his career as a school teacher and later moved to Jagannath College. Actor and playwright Mamunur Rashid said Shawkat Ali should be remembered with honour for his creations. “He was such a mighty writer that he created a new writing style,” he said. Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman addressed the event among others. Dinajpur District Journalist’s Association Convener Mortuza Haider Liton presided over the program.