It is indeed rare that an independent researcher in Bangladesh works tirelessly on history, literature, culture and archaeology despite having a full-time government job. Abul Kalam Mohammed Zakaria, a respected government official, was such a man who dedicated his life to researching different aspects of our history, producing a significant amount of works, casting a fresh look into many aspects of Bangladesh’s history and culture.
Reminiscing about the life and works of this eminent archaeologist, translator and manuscript expert at a program celebrating the centenary of his birth, journalist Mozammel Hossein Manju highlighted his versatile genius, saying, “The range of his work is really impressive. He was a scholar in Persian language and translated a number of literary works of the middle age into Bangla, including three parts of Tabaqat-i Nasiri, written by Minhaz-e-Siraz in the 13th century. He also edited some of the most prominent books of Bengal’s cultural and folklore history, such as Gupi Chandrer Sonyas and Gazi Kalu O Champabati. As a pioneer scholar in the archaeology of Bengal, he wrote many books, including The Archaeological Heritage of Bangladesh and Comilla Zilar Itihash ... He also established the Dinajpur Museum, the third richest museum in the country.” Mozammel also requested the audience to explore AKM Zakaria’s works to realize the full potential of Bengal’s literary, cultural and archaeological heritage.
The event, organized by the Committee for Documentation on Architectural Sites in Dhaka (CDASD), was held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, chairman of CDASD, attended the event as chief guest. He said, “Abul Kalam Mohammed Zakaria was a very erudite and modest scholar. His modesty is exemplary to all of us. Death cannot separate him from us. In fact, he is with us here. We feel the presence of AKM Zakaria.”
Sofia Atia Zakaria, the late scholar’s youngest daughter; Shamima Banu, professor of Persian language at Modern Institute of Language of Dhaka University, and Kazi Anisur Rahman, among others, also spoke at the event.
Musician Masudur Rahman conducted a Rabindra music session at the start of the event, during which Shejuti, Israt Jahan Kakon, Aruna Sarker and AKM Zakaria’s daughter Dr Zakia Mahfuz sang the late scholar’s favorite Tagore songs.
The event ended with the staging of Jogir Gaan, performed for four hours by Taser Mondol and his Natore-based team. This regional stage performance—also one of Zakaria’s favorites—was delivered through a combination of dialogues and songs between a master and his disciples. The master, performed by Taser Mondol, walked on the stage holding a burning torch while his disciples, sitting in a circle, asked him questions about many aspects of life. They also sang songs with harmonium, drum, tambourine and other indigenous musical instruments. Another disciple—dressing like a circus clown—circled around the sitting acolytes, dancing occasionally with the tempo of the music and talking to the master in a light manner.
Mokter Molla performed the character of Balmiki Das while Farhad Mondol acted as Jogini and Jahirul Islam Thantu as Jogini’s son. The other members of the team were Miraz Pramanik, Rintu Molla, Dinaj Pramanik, Rahman Pramanik, Nazir Mondol, Jamal Pramanik and Master Mujib Uddin Member.