Last year, CRI (Center for Research and Information) and cartoonists Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy and Rio Shuvo gave us the first part of a graphic novel series, Mujib - the first ever graphic novel series in Bangladesh.
Based on Unfinished Memoirs – an autobiography of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the second of the 12 part series is out. While the first part was more of a visual masterpiece, the second part takes a major dive into the heart of the story. This time around, Siddique Ahamed did the scripting and research. However, the novel still had to go through the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s approval before it went to the printing press.
Based on facts from the early days of the father of the nation, the story takes us back to the time when young Mujib was tied up with his political mentor, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. As an aftermath of the Second World War, a famine broke out in our land. A death spree spread across the land and hysteric hunger crisis haunted the streets day and night.
That’s when Mujib was in his early collage days in Kolkata, and being driven by a philanthropic instinct, he couldn’t take it anymore. He gathered up all his friends and went to meet the Civil Supply Minister Suhrawardy, to place before him his appeal to do something for the people and lessen their misery. His determination and relentless effort saw the formation of a civil supply department overnight. He then abandoned his academic life and devoted himself to a free feeding program to rescue lives.
In search of relief, he then turned his attention to his home village in Gopalgonj. The outbreak was so severe that it had left his ancestral village in post-apocalyptic state. A determined and vigorous Mujib decided to stand by the people and try to relieve their misery.
While the book showed us the humble and devoted side of Bangabandhu, there were twisting and deciding moments of his life. For example, Mujib was a passionate football player; he had a heart condition and most importantly his entry into politics.
The first issue of Mujib was released on March 17, 2015, on Sheikh Mujib's birthday. The stories in the series revolve around Sheikh Mujib's life from birth till his mid-thirties. Mujib, the graphic novel, depicts how he grew into the person who saved our country.
While the novel gives us a more visual insight of Sheikh Mujib’s early days, his life still reminds us that we can rise above our differences, stand united and steer the nation towards the path of progress and prosperity and most importantly, it can still teach us something about what it means to be a true Bangladeshi.
