Goswami, Karunamay
Goswami, Karunamay (1943-2017) Nazrul Researcher Dr. Karunamay Goswami was born on 11 March 1943 at Chandura village of Gosair in Mymensingh district. His mother’s name is Josna Rani Devi and his father’s name is Rashvihari Goswami. After completing his primary education at Gosain Chandura Primary School, he passed Matriculation from Bahadurpur High School in 1958, Intermediate from Gurudayal College (Kishoreganj) in 1960 and obtained graduation in 1962 from the same college. He had his Master’s degree in English from Dhaka University in 1964. As a Nazrul researcher, he obtained his PhD degree from Dhaka University in 1988. His research topic was ‘The Place of Kazi Nazrul Islam in Bengali Poetry’.
He joined Government Tolaram College in Narayanganj as a lecturer on 23 November 1964. He was a music lover. He sang Rabindra sangeet, Nazrulgiti, and Atul Prasad songs. He was seriously injured when police attacked Tolaram College during the mass upsurge of 1969. After 25 March 1971, he crossed the border into India. He took care of the wounded Freedom Fighters in the Hospital in Jhulanbari, Tripura, India. After the victory in the Liberation War, he returned to Narayanganj on 10 January, 1972 and found his residence looted by the Pakistani army and their local collaborators. His notable books on poetry, music, and translated and edited works include Nazrul Geeti Proshonga (1978), Dance Art Glossary (1982), Sangeet Kosh (1985), Bangla Song (1985), Kazi Nazrul’s Place in Bengali Poetry and Lyrics (1990), Aspects of Nazrul Songs (1990). Kazi Nazrul Islam: A Biography (1996), Influence of Islam on Indian Culture (1997), Stories of Africa (1975), Poems of Africa (1982), History of Narayanganj (1985); Centenary in Bengali Culture (1994), Sound History (1995); Nazrul’s Children’s Poem (1995); List of Nazrul Sangeet (1995), Old Toppa (1967); History of Bengali Music in Sound (1995) and Splendour of Old Bengali Songs (1997).
He received several medals including ‘Nazrul Smriti Award and Gold Medal’ (1987), ‘Bangla Academy Award’ (2009), ‘Ekushey Medal’ (2012), ‘Bangla Academy Rabindra Medal’ (2013).
He passed away on 30 June 2017. [Jebunnessa]
