Mahmud, Al
Mahmud, Al (1936-2019) a distinguished poet. He was a genius in twentieth-century Bengali literature. The urban context of modern Bengali poetry, the public life of rural Bengali people, the rural ambience, the riverine settlements, the flow of life in the swampy land, and the eternal love-separation of men and women are special elements of his poetry. His poetic language is folk-centered. Also, his contribution to fiction is outstanding. In the early days of his literary works, he was a strong believer in socialism. At the age of about 40, his faith in the Creator of the world began to be engraved in his poems. He is well known as the editor of Dainik Ganakantha, a widely circulated anti-government newspaper published immediately after the independence of Bangladesh.
Al Mahmud was born on 11 July 1936 at the village Morail in the Brahmanbaria district. His father was Mir Abdur Rob and mother was Raushan Ara Mir. Rob and Raushan were cousins. Mir Abdur Rab was a music fan. Grandfather Mir Abdul Wahab was a poet, who wrote Zari songs and was well versed in Arabic-Persian. He also knew Sanskrit language. Abdul Wahab worked as a teacher and clerk in a local school. His ancestors preached Islam in India.
Al Mahmud went through childhood and adolescence during World War II, the Pakistan Movement, the partition of the Indian subcontinent, and the language movement of the new state of Pakistan. He grew up with endless hope and despair in the new country. He was brought up in a family of Islamic tradition in his childhood. The civic and literary-cultural environment of Brahmanbaria, the place of his birth, especially the leftist and revolutionary consciousness germinated area centred around round the Lalmohan Library. The liberal environment in his Jagatpur school life sowed the seeds of creativity in his imagination. At the beginning of his youth, he was full of dreams drawn on independence.
He started his early education in 1942 with support from his grandmother, Begum Hasina Banu Mir. He took the first lesson of observing the vast expanse of the sky from her. At that time, he received religious education from the Imam of a local mosque. He studied from class 2 to class 6 in Morail High School in Brahmanbaria during 1943-48. In 1948, he studied class 7 at George VI High School, and the next year, studied class 8 at Sadhana High School in Jagatpur, Daudkandi, Comilla. Then, he was admitted to Sitakunda High School in Chittagong. During the 1952 language movement, he was a student of Niaz Mohammad High School of class 10.
In 1954, the poet Al Mahmud joined The Daily Millat as a proofreader. In 1955, he became the editor of The Weekly Kafela. In 1957-62, he worked as a Gauge Reader in the Dredger Division and as a salesman for Lifeboy Soap. In 1963, he joined The Daily Ittefaq as a proofreader. He was later appointed Junior Sub-Editor in charge of mofussil. When Ittefaq was discontinued publishing in 1968, he went to the Art Press at the invitation of the Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University, Professor Syed Ali Ahsan. He supervised the publication and was the publishing officer of 'Boighar' [Book House], a reputed publishing house in Chittagong. When Ittefaq was re-launched in 1969, he joined as an Assistant Editor. He took part in the great war of liberation. In 1971, the Pakistani Army demolished the Ittefaq office in the dreadful night of 25 March. During the War of Liberation, he joined the Defense Department of the Mujibnagar Government as a Junior Staff Officer at Theater Road No. 8, Calcutta. He performed this duty till 16 December. He was appointed editor of the mouthpiece of newly founded Jatiya Samajtantik Dal (JSD) and the anti-government radical daily believing in Scientific Socialism, Ganakantha, which started publishing since 1972 from Dhaka. He was imprisoned in March 1974. After nearly a year in prison, he was released in 1975. Shortly after his release, he was appointed an Assistant Director of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy with the direct patronage of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Reading comparative theology during his imprisonment impacted a change in his thinking from extreme atheism to theism. On 10 July 1993, he retired from the post of Director, Research and Publications at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. In the same year, he returned to journalism as an Assistant Editor of The Daily Sangram; at the same time, he was the Editor of The Daily Karnafuli published from Chittagong.
Al Mahmud’s first publication was a short story. Later 4-line poetry was published on Language Protest Committee’s leaflet. From 1954, his poetry began to be published in reputed newspapers. He gained fame through newspapers like Samakal, Natun Sahitya, Chatushkon, Moyukh and Krittibash being published from Bangladesh and Kolkata. His notable books– Lok Lokantar (1963), Kaler Kalash (1996), Shonali Kabin (1973), Mayabi Porda Dule Utho (1976), Odrishter Rannabanna (1980), Bakhtiarer Ghora (1985), Arabbo Rojonir Rajhash (1987), Prohorante Pashfera (1988), Ekchokkhu Horin (1989), Mitthabadi Rakhal (1993), Ami Durgami (1994), Hridoypur (1995), Doyel O Doyita (1996), Ditiyo Bhangon (2000), Nodir Bhitore Nodi (2001), Uralkabbo (2003), Na Kono Shunnota Manina (2004), Birampurer Jatri (2005), Tomar Jonne Dirgho Dibosh Dirgho Rojoni (2005), Tumie Trishna Tumie Pipashar Jol (2007), Shelai Kora Mukh (2008), Pipashar Baluchore (2008), Prempotro Pollobe (2009), Tomar Rokte Tomar Gondhe (2011), Pakhir Kothay Pakha Mellam (2012), Etihash Dekho Bak Ghure Geche Fer Etihashe (2020), Epic- Ei Golper Sesh Nei Shuruo Chilona (2020), Child Literature- Pakhir Kache Fuler Kache (1980), Ekti Pakhi Lej Jhola (2000), Mollabarir Chora (2005), Foring Dhorar Golpo (2011), Nebu Fuler Gondhe (2020), Amar Name Dakhche Pakhi (2020), Short Story- Pankourir Rakto (1975), Shourover Kache Porajito (1982), Gandhobonik (1988), Moyurir Mukh (1994), Nodir Shotin (2004), ChotoBoro (2005), Charpatar Prem (2009), Shoptorshi (2014), Jolbessha o Tahara (2015), Priyo Panchomi (2016), Novel- Dahuk (1992), Kabiler Bon (1993), Upomohadesh (1993), Kobi O Kolahol (1993), Purush Shundor (1994), Nishinda Nari (1995), Aguner Meye (1995), Je Paro Bhuliye Dao (1995), Putro (2000), Cheharar Chouturango (2001), Kalonkini Jotirboloy (2003), Dhire Khao Ajogori (2004), Je Juddhe Keu Jeteni (2006), Tuhin Tamanna Upakkhan (2007), Tusher Agun (2008), Jibon Jakhon Bak Ghore (2018), Shahodora (2020), Baro Mash Tero Parbon (2008), Kobir Mukh (2015), Edited Newspapers and Books- Kafela (1955-56), Daily Ganokantha (1972-75), Ahoto Kokil (1977), Shilpokola (1980), Afganishtan Amar Bhalobasha (1983), Daily Kornafuli (1995-2004), Shangeet Series-1 (Gul Muhammad Khana, kanailalshil, fuljhuri khan), etc.
Al Mahmud was the founding president of the Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) in 1980. He was one of the main entrepreneurs and organizers of the Asian Poetry Conference held in Dhaka in 1987 and 1989. From 2002 to 2004, he was the President of the Jatiyo Nagorik Forum. Besides, for almost 6 decades, he relentlessly contributed to the national ideology and progress by participating in meetings, committees and seminars on socio-literary-cultural-political issues, making speeches and expressing his views.
In 1976, the poet Al Mahmud represented Bangladesh at the Third World Book Fair. In the eighties, he represented Bangladesh at the Asian Poetry Conference in Bhopal, India. In 1993, at the invitation of the British government, he represented Bangladesh in a literary event in Oldham City. In 2005, he served as Bangladesh Advisor to PEN International. His works have been translated into various languages including English and French.
Al Mahmud received many awards for his contributions to literature. These included 'Bangla Academy' Award (1968), 'Jay Bangla' Sahitya Award (1972), 'Humayun Kabir Memorial' Award (1974), 'Jibonanda Das Memorial' Award (1974), 'Sufi Motahar Hossain' Sahitya Award (1976), 'Bangladesh Writer Association' Award (1980), 'Bangladesh Female Writers Association' Award (1981), 'Bangladesh Shishu Academy' (Agrani Bank) Award (1983), 'Kafela' Sahitya Award, Kolkata (1984), 'Humayun Kadir Memorial' Award (1984), 'Ekushey' Padak (1986), 'Philips' Award (1987), 'Nasiruddin' Gold Medal (1990), 'Farrukh Memorial' Award (1995), 'Muktijuddhya' Award (1997), 'Kishorkantha' Sahitya Award (2002), 'Agradut Gunijan' Award (2002), 'Notungati' Sahitya Award (2003), 'National Mangal' Medal (2003), 'Dhaka Post' Gold Medal (2004), 'Beauty Boarding Honour' Award (2005) and 'Bangladesh Shishu Academy' Award (2005).
Al Mahmud died on 15 February 2019. [Fazlul Hoque Saikat]
Sources Al Mahmud, Javane Bare Uthi (How I grown up), Dhaka, Ananya, second edition 2011; Al Mahmud, Bichurno Darpone Kobir Mukh (The face of the poet in the shattered mirror), Dhaka, Ekushey Bangla Prakashan, 2006; Omar Biswas (ed.), Chanruliya, 1st year 3rd issue (Al Mahmud issue), July-August-September, Dhaka, 2001; Khandaker Abdul Momen (ed.), Prekkhan, 6th edition, (Al Mahmud issue), July-September and October-December, Dhaka, 2006.
