Borhanuddin Khan Jahangir belonged to that rare breed of writers who wrote in every literary genre with equal grace. In his almost six decades long career, he wrote poetry, short stories, novels, children’s literature, literary essay, critical essay on literature and society and history, arts criticism and research articles. He also translated and edited many books. Always away from the crowd, he sought solace in books and writing.
Unlike some of his versatile peers, he was not a prolific writer of poetry and fiction even though his contribution to these genres was substantial. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the bulk of his writing was constituted by nonfiction. The diversity and freshness he brought into play as a writer was unique and the vision of secularism he upheld significantly broadened our literary and intellectual horizons.
Just like his fascinating creative work, his nonfictional, critical and research works are also marked by a combination of depth and beauty.
He wrote ten collections of poetry including Amader Mukh (Our faces) and Hemanter Dike Mukh Kore (Facing Hemanta). History, politics, philosophy, love and revolt combine to imbue his poems with an exquisite modern cadence.
His thoughts about society and history found more elaborate and artistic expressions in his fiction. Not only did he set his characters in context and anatomized their actions and reactions but he also sought to place them on the path to resistance and new beginnings. His opposition to feudalism and military dictatorship was as much evident in his stories as his predilection for socialism. His short story collections include Abichchhinho (Connected), Agamikaal Bachbar ebong Bhalobashbar (To live tomorrow and love), Biplob Deerghojeebee Hok (May the revolution live long) and Prachinkaler Jeshob Bhoy (Fears from ancient times). His novels include Baruder Gondho Chardhare (There is smell of gunpowder all around).
He was regarded one of our most gifted and revered art critics. His writing on art and artists blended theoretical knowledge with lucid analysis. His book-length studies of Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hasan, SM Sultan, Hashem Khan and Shahabuddin have enriched our understanding of the immense worth of these master painters. He also wrote copiously about Aminul Islam, Shafiuddin Ahmed, Mohammad Kibria and Qayyum Chowdhury, among others. In all his writing about art, he always sought to put an artist’s work first in context and then unearth his worth in relation to his time.
His essay collections on society and history include Hotyar Rajneeti O Bangladesh (The politics of killing and Bangladesh), Dhormo, Rastro, Rajneeti (Religion, State and Politics), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Jibon O Rajneeti (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Life and politics), Bangladesher Gram (Villages of Bangladesh), Adhunikota O Jatiyatabad (Modernity and Nationlism) and Bangladesher Swadhinata Juddho Ebong Pakistan.
His books on folklore and literature include Aprotirodhyo Rabindranath Ebong Onyanyo (Invincible Rabindranath and Others), Rabindranath: Shilpobhabna (Rabindranath: Thoughts on art), Sahityer Obhiggota (Experiences in literature), Swadesh O Sahitya (Home country and literature) and Baul Gaan ebong Duddu Shah (Folk song and Duddu Shah).
He started his career at Dhaka University as a lecturer in 1956 and retired from the university as a professor of Political Science in 1994.
He was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1969 and the Ekushey Padak in 2009.
