Eminent writer Shawkat Osman was remembered at a commemorative programme held at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum on Tuesday.
Bangladesh National Museum and Kothashilpi Shawkat Osman Smriti Parishad jointly organised the commemorative programme marking the 26th death anniversary of Shawkat Osman.
The programme comprised documentary screening and discussion session.
Fiction writer Andalib Rashidi, Bangladesh National Museum director general Md Kamruzzaman, Dhaka University professor emeritus Hashem Khan and education minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury were present as discussants at the programme.
Andalib Rashidi said that Shawkat Osman was a very brave person who protested against social anomalies through his writings.
Shawkat Osman could critique himself and could make fun of himself through his writings, said Andalib Rashidi, adding that Shawkat Osman would live among people through his works.
Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury said that everyone should work to spread the messages of Shawkat Osman鈥檚 writings at the root level of the country.
The minister urged parents to encourage their children to read more literary works and participate in cultural activities.
Md Kamruzzaman said, 鈥楽hawkat Osman was not only a novelist but also a writer of short stories, essays and books for children.鈥�
鈥楬e protested against autocracy and religious fundamentalism through his writings,鈥� said Md Kamruzzaman.
Hashem Khan said, 鈥業 was fortunate because I have had the opportunity of knowing him from my childhood. He translated his love for the people and the country in his writings.鈥�
Kothashilpi Shawkat Osman Smriti Parishad general secretary Dipu Siddiqui delivered the welcome speech at the programme, which was presided over by writer Hasnat Abdul Hye.
鈥楨very year we organise two programmes to pay tribute to him and to spread his works among the younger generation. We are eagerly waiting for the publication of Shawkat Osman鈥檚 collected works from Bangla Academy for a long time,鈥� said Dipu Siddiqui, urging the education minister to take effective steps for the publication.
A documentary titled 鈥楶rojonmo Theke Projonme Shawkat Osman鈥�, produced by Kothashilpi Shawkat Osman Smriti Parishad, on the life and works of the writer was screened at the event.
Born on January 2, 1917, in Hughli, West Bengal, British India, Shawkat Osman settled in East Pakistan after the partition. His real name was Sheikh Azizur Rahman while Shawkat Osman was his pen name.
He enriched Bangla literature by penning novels, short stories, essays, plays, humorous writings, memoirs and books for children.
Among his writings, Janani and Kritadaser Hasi are his two most well-known novels.
He received many awards for his contribution to literature including Bangla Academy Award in 1962, Adamjee Literary Award in 1966, President Award in 1967, Ekushey Padak in 1983, Mahbubullah Foundation Prize in 1983, Muktadhara Literary Award in 1991 and Independence Award in 1997.
Shawkat Osman died in Dhaka on May 14, 1998.
