Kothashilpi Shawkat Osman Smriti Parishad arranged a conference paying tribute to the eminent writer on April 8 at the Seminar Room of the Public Library in the capital.
The programme opened with the screening of a short film titled Ucche Srobar Ucchabilash directed by Nesar Osman, son of Shawkat Osman. It focuses on the right of the day-labourers through the symbolic representation of a horse toiling a carriage. As Osman’s writings feature the downtrodden, particularly the disadvantaged community in our country, the film tries to portray the miseries, struggle and varied social dilemmas of the community of the country and beyond.
Later, distinguished personas including Masud Ahmed, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh, Ranjit Kumar Biswas, secretary to the Cultural Affairs Ministry, Mousuf Ahmed, CEO of Cybernet, spoke on the occasion. Tagore exponent and Language Movement veteran, Ahmed Rafiq, presided over the programme.
Masud Ahmed said: “Osman’s writings largely highlight messages against fundamentalism, communalism and extremism. The writer was noted for his political convictions and social perceptions of his works.”
Ranjit Kumar Biswas said: “Osman tried to break the chain of social and political discrimination through his writings. He also tried his best to keep the people of the country united in turbulent times.”
Ahmed Rafiq said: “Osman’s writings carry messages against fundamentalism and narrate stories of the oppressed. Bengali nationalism and individuality are also noticeable subjects in his writings.”
Shawkat Osman’s real name was Sheikh Azizur Rahman. He was one of the leading Bengali litterateurs of the last century. He wrote many novels, short stories, poems, drama, stories and books for children. He received many awards and accolades including Adamji Sahitya Award in 1962, Bangla Academy Award in 1966, Ekushey Padak in 1983 and the Independence Day Award in 1997.