Waliullah, Mohammad
Waliullah, Mohammad (1907-1978) journalist and writer, born in Bauria village of sandwip upazila, chittagong, on 1 March 1907. His father, Ramij Ali, worked in Calcutta. After completing his matriculation (1924) from Sandwip Kargil High School and IA (1932) from chittagong college, Waliullah studied English Literature at b m college, Barisal. While a student, Waliullah became associated with nationalist politics. He was arrested in 1921-22 and was charged for his involvement in the anti-British civil disobedience movement. In politics he was initially influenced by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the Congress. He was widely known as Lalkorta and Wali Gandhi. Later, he became an activist with the muslim league from 1937.
Waliullah worked in different newspapers of Burma, India and Bangladesh such as The Rangoon, Daily News, Star of India, The Orient Press of India, Dainik azad, Dainik Purbadesh, Dainik Ittehad and Dainik sangbad. He also worked as an assistant editor (1954-1967) in the Information Department of the united front and in subsequent governments. His journalistic career enabled him to travel in different places of India with Mahatma Gandhi, huseyn shaheed suhrawardy, ak fazlul huq, and abdul hamid khan bhasani. Yuga-Bichitra (1967), containing Waliullah’s traveling experiences, is an important book.
His other books include Sanbad O Sanbadik (1943), Sekal O Ekal (1952), Phansir Mavche (1952), Bichitra Jiban (1952) Amader Mukti Sangram (1952), Bangladesher Abhyuday, Sanbadiker Savchay, Yuga Bibartan O Jiban Jagar Kahini (1982). Yuga-Bichitra earned him the Daud Prize in 1968. Waliullah died on 3 August 1978. [Ayub Hossain]
