Ahmed Sofa ( bn, আহমদ ছফা, ; 30 June 194328 July 2001) was a Bangladeshi writer, thinker, novelist, poet, philosopher and
public intellectual
An intellectual is a person who engages in critical thinking, research, and reflection about the reality of society, and who proposes solutions for the normative problems of society. Coming from the world of culture, either as a creator or a ...
.
Sofa is considered by many, including
National Professor
National Professor ( bn, জাতীয় অধ্যাপক) is a prestigious teaching award given by the Government of Bangladesh for outstanding contribution on the field of education. It is awarded by the president of Bangladesh according ...
Abdur Razzaq
Abdul (also transliterated as Abdal, Abdel, Abdil, Abdol, Abdool, or Abdoul; ar, عبد ال, ) is the most frequent transliteration of the combination of the Arabic word '' Abd'' (, meaning "Servant") and the definite prefix '' al / el'' (, mea ...
and
Salimullah Khan
Salimullah Khan ( bn, সলিমুল্লাহ খান; born 18 August 1958) is a Bangladeshi writer. Khan explores national and international politics and culture using Marxist and Lacanian theories. Informed and influenced by Ahmed Sof ...
, to be the most important Bengali writer after
Mir Mosharraf Hossain
Mir Mosharraf Hossain ( bn, মীর মশাররফ হোসেন; 1847–1912) was a Bengali writer, novelist, playwright and essayist. He is considered to be the first major writer to emerge from the Muslim society of Bengal, and one ...
and
Kazi Nazrul Islam
Kazi Nazrul Islam ( bn, কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম, ; 24 May 1899 – 29 August 1976) was a Bengali poet, Bengali literature, writer, Bangladeshi music, musician, and is the national poet of Bangladesh. Nazrul is regarded as one ...
.
A writer by occupation, Sofa wrote 18 non-fiction books, 8 novels, 4 collections of poems, 2 collections of short stories, and several books in other genres.
Sofa's ''Bangali Musalmaner Man'' (The Mind of the Bengali Muslims, 1981) is a highly acclaimed critical survey of the formation of Bengali Muslims' identity, causes of their backwardness, their development as a community, and their intellectual progress.
Anisuzzaman
Anisuzzaman (18 February 1937 – 14 May 2020) was a Bangladeshi academic of Bengali literature.
He was an activist who took part in the Language Movement (1952), participated in Mass Uprising (1969), and took part in the Bangladesh Liberation ...
and many others consider Sofa's ''Bangali Musalmaner Man'' one of the greatest non-fiction books written in the Bengali language.
In ''Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas'' (A New Mode of Intellectualism, 1972), Sofa mapped the intellectual landscape of Bangladesh, delineating general opportunistic tendencies of Bangladeshi intellectuals, their collaboration with
the Establishment
''The Establishment'' is a term used to describe a dominant social group , group or elite that controls a polity or an organization. It may comprise a closed social group that selects its own members, or entrenched elite structures in specific ...
, and their failure to bring any real material change in postcolonial Bangladesh.
Characterized by “a freshness of language”,
and "constant experimentation, and novelty" of subject matter and narration, his fictions portrayed Bangladesh with all its social, spiritual and political nuances.
Critics acclaimed his intricate characterization depicting psychological and sociocultural subtleties with realism.
Abul Fazal, and many others
considered Sofa's ''Omkar'' (The Om, 1975) the best literary expression of the liberation movement of Bangladesh.
''
Gabhi Bittanta
''Gabhi Bittanta'' ( bn, গাভী বিত্তান্ত, English: A Tale of a Cow) is a 1995 satirical novel by Ahmed Sofa. Considered one of the best satires in Bengali literature, it satirizes "the practice and politics of vice-chancel ...
'' (A Tale of a Cow, 1995), a novel satirizing university teachers involved in party politics and corruption is among the best satires in Bengali literature.
''Pushpa Briksa ebang Bihanga Puran'' (Tales of Flowers, Trees, and Birds, 1996) recounts Sofa's spiritual attachments with birds, plants and trees reflecting his profound
biophilia and
ecoconsciousness.
Some of his long poems include ''Ekti Prabeen Bater Kache Prarthana'' (Prayer to an Ancient Banayan Tree, 1977), and ''Basti Ujar'' (''The Eviction of the Shanti Town Dwellers''), etc.
Sofa and his works guided, inspired, influenced, and continue to inspire and influence many writers, filmmakers, painters, artists, and intellectuals including
Humayun Ahmed
Humayun Ahmed (; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and professor. His breakthrough was his debut novel ''Nondito Noroke'' published in 1972. He wrote over 200 ...
,
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal ( bn, মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল; ; born 23 December 1952) is a Bangladeshi science fiction author, physicist, academic, activist & former professor of computer science and engineering and former he ...
,
Tareque Masud
Tareque Masud (6 December 1956 – 13 August 2011) was a Bangladeshi independent film director, film producer, screenwriter and lyricist. He first found success with the films ''Muktir Gaan'' (1995) and ''Matir Moina'' (2002), for which he won thr ...
,
Farhad Mazhar
Farhad Mazhar ( bn, ফরহাদ মজহার; born 9 August 1947) is a Bangladeshi poet, philosopher, writer, columnist, pharmacist, social and human rights activist, and environmentalist. He is one of the founders and the managing director ...
,
Salimullah Khan
Salimullah Khan ( bn, সলিমুল্লাহ খান; born 18 August 1958) is a Bangladeshi writer. Khan explores national and international politics and culture using Marxist and Lacanian theories. Informed and influenced by Ahmed Sof ...
, etc.
He remains one of the most powerful intellectual influences in Bangladesh through his works and legacy.
For a bohemian lifestyle, and outspoken nature, Sofa was a controversial figure during his lifetime.
He was called rebel, mad, insolent, devoid of
respect for authority, and an overly uncompromising figure among the intellectuals.
Never to be co-opted by the establishment,
Sofa rejected Lekhak Shibir Award in 1975, and Sa'dat Ali Akanda Award offered by
Bangla Academy
The Bangla Academy ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি, ) is an autonomous institution funded by the Bangladesh government to foster the Bengali language, literature and culture, to develop and implement national language policy and to d ...
in 1993.
He was awarded
Ekushe Padak posthumously by the
Government of Bangladesh
The Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh ( bn, গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার — ) is the central executive government of Bangladesh. The government was constituted by the Con ...
in 2002.
Biography
Ahmed Sofa was born into a family of farmers at Gachbaria in the district of
Chattogram
Chittagong ( /ˈtʃɪt əˌɡɒŋ/ ''chit-uh-gong''; ctg, চিটাং; bn, চিটাগং), officially Chattogram ( bn, চট্টগ্রাম), is the second-largest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and third largest city in B ...
.
His father was Hedayet Ali, and his mother, Asiya Khatun.
He was supported by his elder brother, Abdus Sobi, to carry on his work in literature. He received his secondary and higher secondary education in Chattogram. He moved to Dhaka in 1962
and were admitted to the Department of Bangla in the
University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...
. At the University of Dhaka, he stopped attending classes after getting rebuked by Ahmed Sharif once. In 1967, he earned a bachelor's degree as a private candidate from Brahmanbaria College. In 1970, he earned his master's in political science from the University of Dhaka.
[ In 1970, he was granted a fellowship by ]Bangla Academy
The Bangla Academy ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি, ) is an autonomous institution funded by the Bangladesh government to foster the Bengali language, literature and culture, to develop and implement national language policy and to d ...
to do his PhD, under the supervision of Abdur Razzaq
Abdul (also transliterated as Abdal, Abdel, Abdil, Abdol, Abdool, or Abdoul; ar, عبد ال, ) is the most frequent transliteration of the combination of the Arabic word '' Abd'' (, meaning "Servant") and the definite prefix '' al / el'' (, mea ...
, on "The Growth of Middle Class in Bengal as it influenced its literature, Society and Economics from 1800 to 1858." This led to his lifelong friendship with Abdur Razzaq though Sofa did not finish his PhD program. He began his writing career in the 1960s. From 1969 till his death, Sofa served many newspapers, weekly and monthly magazines as chief editor, literary editor or advisory editor. Sofa died of cardiac arrest on 28 July 2001 in a hospital in Dhaka. He was buried in the close to the Mirpur Martyred Intellectual Graveyard.
Though Sofa never married, he had relationships with several women; among them, his relationships with Shamim Sikder
Shamim Sikder (born 1953) is a Bangladeshi sculptor. She was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2000 by the Government of Bangladesh.
Education and career
Sikder enrolled at the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts at the age of 15. In 1976, she moved to Sir John ...
and Suraya Khanam are notable. These relationships were the basis of Sofa's novel, ''Ardhek Nari Ardhek Ishvari'' (Half Women Half Goddess, 1995).
Writing career
Non-fictions
Marked by "a rare brilliance of genius" and revealing insight, Sofa's non-fiction writings deals with history, sociological issues, contemporary politics, literary and cultural critiques, etc. Sofa's ''Bangali Musalmaner Man'' (The Mind of the Bengali Muslims, 1981) contains nine essays written over twelve years from 1969 to 1980. "Rabindranather Sanskriti-Sadhana" was first published in ''Kanthaswar'' in 1969 and "Banglar Chitra Oitihya: Sultaner Sadhana" was first published in ''Mulabhumi'' in 1980. In the eponymous essay "Bangali Musalmaner Man" first published in ''Monthly Samakal'' in 1976, Sofa explored the historical formation of Bengali Muslims' identity across the millennium. The essay considerably changed the academic perception of Bengali Muslims' identity and the subsequent scholarship about the issue. Upon publication, it polarized critics' opinion, some welcoming and others condemning the work. Sofa attributed the causes of the backwardness of Bengali Muslims to the detachment of the ruling class from the mass people.
In another essay titled "On the Issue of Bangladesh's Upper Class and a Social Revolution" (1992), Sofa made a similar point in the present context that the nexus of urban elites had zero ties with the large swathes of poor and struggling people across the country. They feign to feel more foreign here than foreigners themselves. They aspire to identify with a western cultural existence which has no roots in the realities of the millions in this country.” Sofa attributed the causes of the religious/secular dichotomies to the absence of a concerted effort for dialogue from the elites. Sofa opined that people in general are not fanatic at all, but the elites' growing distance from the mass people and the continued economic and political deprivation of the majority of Bengali Muslims created a treacherous situation muddled by angst and desperation which may be easily co-opted by international extremist institutions.
In ''Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas'' (A New Mode of Intellectualism, 1972), Sofa mapped the intellectual landscape of Bangladesh delineating general opportunistic tendencies of the intellectuals, and their collaboration with the Establishment
''The Establishment'' is a term used to describe a dominant social group , group or elite that controls a polity or an organization. It may comprise a closed social group that selects its own members, or entrenched elite structures in specific ...
before and after the liberation of the country. Sofa condemned "the intellectuals who live by their wits, play the intellectuals, and do everything for pure selfish reasons." Sofa reminded the intellectuals of their true responsibility in the newly independent country and warned about the grim future of fascism unless they performed their responsibility properly. Though today ''Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas'' is highly acclaimed for its prophetic insight into the future political and cultural prospect of Bangladesh, Badruddin Umar
Badruddin Umar ( bn, বদরুদ্দীন উমর; born 20 December 1931) is a Bangladeshi Marxist–Leninist theorist, political activist, historian, writer, intellectual and leader of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist–Leni ...
commented that Sofa left the question of class unexplored. ''Jagrata Bangladesh'' (Watchful Bangladesh, 1971), ''Bangladesher Rajnoitik Jatilata'' (Political Complications in Bangladesh, 1977) explore political crises before and after the liberation of Bangladesh.
Fictions
As a pioneering novelist of Bangladesh, Sofa brought fresh air both in forms and contents. Sofa's novels and stories were often based on his personal experience and observation.[ Critics appreciated his portrayal of a society yet to overcome feudal and ]colonial
Colonial or The Colonial may refer to:
* Colonial, of, relating to, or characteristic of a colony or colony (biology)
Architecture
* American colonial architecture
* French Colonial
* Spanish Colonial architecture
Automobiles
* Colonial (1920 au ...
residual in its social and political matrix, a society where common people's lives are crippled with class struggle
Class conflict, also referred to as class struggle and class warfare, is the political tension and economic antagonism that exists in society because of socio-economic competition among the social classes or between rich and poor.
The forms ...
and limited opportunities of empowerment. Akhtaruzzaman Elias commented that Sofa mastered the craft of story-telling in his early youth.
''Surya Tumi Sathi'' (Sun, You Are My Companion, 1967) was Sofa's first novel and first book as well. He wrote it at the age of 24. The novel has been called "a heart-warming tale of communal harmony" in a country ridden by communal conflicts and violence. The central conflict of the plot pivots around Hashim whose father got converted into Islam from Hinduism. Hashim's grandmother rises above the orthodox rituals and thoughts of her society by taking responsibility for Hashim's newly born baby.
''Omkar'' (The Om, 1975) recounts the transformation of a mute girl, and how she gets to speak in parallel with the transformation of a community into a nation. The novel delineates the sociopolitical condition of the society as well as the sociofamilial environment very minutely.
In ''Ekjan Ali Kenaner Utthan Patan'' (The Rise and Fall of an Ali Kenan, 1988), Sofa created an existentialist character Ali Kenan in a backdrop of Mazar Mazar of Al-Mazar may refer to:
*Mazar (mausoleum); often but not always Muslim mausoleum or shrine.
Places
*Mazar (toponymy), a component of Arabic toponyms literally meaning shrine, grave, tomb, etc.
*Mazar, Afghanistan, a village in Balkh Pro ...
culture in Bangladesh. The political scenes, from Ayub Khan to Sheikh Mujib, are explored from the viewpoint of the people living on the fringe of the society. Salimullah Khan viewed Ali Kenan as a metaphor for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ( bn, শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান; 17 March 1920 – 15 August 1975), often shortened as Sheikh Mujib or Mujib and widely known as Bangabandhu (meaning ''Friend of Bengal''), was a Bengalis, Beng ...
.
''Maranbilash'' (Death-Wish, 1989) portrays a minister at his deathbed. The minister opens up his mind and makes a confession of his misdeeds to his attendant Moula Box. The tragicomic confession of the minister brings out the dirty secrets of his past involving fratricide, adultery, communal conflicts, etc.
''Alat Chakra'' (A Circle of Fire, 1993) a highly acclaimed novel, tells the love story of Daniel and Tayeba among the war refugees in Kolkata during the liberation war of Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Liberation War ( bn, মুক্তিযুদ্ধ, , also known as the Bangladesh War of Independence, or simply the Liberation War in Bangladesh) was a revolution and armed conflict sparked by the rise of the Bengali n ...
. The story portrays the refugee intellectuals, and their self-seeking activities in a different light.
''Gabhi Bittana'' (A Tale of a Cow, 1995) satirizes teachers' politics surrounding senate members' election and vice-chancellor selection at the University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...
. Sofa placed the supreme institution of Bangladesh, Dhaka University, in a satirical milieu in ''Gabhi Bittano''. People at Dhaka University were appalled by Sofa's portrayal of them in this novel.[Islam, Syed Manzoorul (2003). "Death in the Afternoon:The Passing Away of Ahmed Sofa". ''Ahmed Sofa Smarakgrantha'' আহমদ ছফা স্মারকগ্রন্থ 'Writings in Memory of Ahmed Sofa'' Dhaka. cited in ]
''Ardhek Nari Ardhek Ishvari'' (Half Woman and Half Goddess, 1996), a semi-autobiographical novel, pivots around the protagonists romantic relations with two women. Sofa planned the novel to be a monument of his love.
''Pushpa Briksha ebang Bihanga Puran'' (Tales of Flowers, Trees and Birds, 1996) reflects Sofa's eco-consciousness and biophilia. In this autobiographical novel, Sofa "describes humanism in its most intimate form, an existential reality where we are inextricably connected with the environment that sustains us through our bonds with animals and plants." Upon publication, some critics were reluctant to categorize it as a novel.
Poetry and others
Written in "a distinctive poetic style",[ Sofa's ''Ekti Prabin Bater Kachhe Prarthana'' (Prayer to an Ancient Banyan Tree, 1977) envisions a Bangladesh free from poverty, exploitation and injustice.
Sofa's translation of ]Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic. His works include plays, poetry, literature, and aesthetic criticism, as well as trea ...
's Faust
Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend based on the historical Johann Georg Faust ( 1480–1540).
The erudite Faust is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a pact with the Devil at a crossroads ...
was published in 1986. ''Jadyapi Amar Guru'' (He Is Still My Teacher, 1998) is his "outstanding memoir" of his friendship with his mentor Professor Abdur Razzaq.
List of Works
Poetry
1. Jollad Shomoy (1975) —'জল্লাদ সময়'(১৯৭৫)
2. Dukkher Diner Duha (1975) —'দুঃখের দিনের দোহা' (১৯৭৫)
3. Ekti Probin Boter kache Prarthona (1977)—'একটি প্রবীন বটের কাছে প্রার্থনা'(১৯৭৭)
4. Go-Hakim (1997) — 'গো-হাকিম' (১৯৯৭)
5. Lenin
Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov. ( 1870 – 21 January 1924), better known as Vladimir Lenin,. was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 19 ...
Ghumobe Ebar (1999) — 'লেনিন ঘুমোবে এবার' (১৯৯৯)
6. Ohitagni (2001) — 'অহিতাগ্নি' (২০০১)
Social and political activism
A good organiser, Sofa played an important role in mobilising writers along with Ahmed Sharif
Ahmed Sharif (13 February 1921 – 24 February 1999) was an educationist, philosopher, critic, writer and scholar of medieval Bengali literature. He is recognized as one of the most outspoken atheist and radical thinkers of Bangladesh.
Back ...
to established the Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir
Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir is a Bangladeshi literary and cultural organisation founded in 1972.
History
Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir was established in 1970 as Lekhak Sangram Shibir by liberal Bengali writers Ahmed Sharif, Humayun Kabir, Sardar Fazlul ...
. In his early youth, Sofa was involved with the communist party for a short time. He also opened several free school for the children of slum-dwellers in Dhaka. He also organized Sampradayik Dangar Biruddhe Sampreeti Committee (1992–94), Taranga (1993–96), Nagarik Shakti (1995), etc.
Legacy and influence
Today, Sofa is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the Bengali language
Bengali ( ), generally known by its endonym Bangla (, ), is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language native to the Bengal region of South Asia. It is the official, national, and most widely spoken language of Bangladesh and the second m ...
. He was described as a public intellectual "against opportunism", a "dissenting" writer fearless to speak the truth, and a "champion of idealism and progressive culture". "A veritable powerhouse of infinite passion and creative energy", Sofa "cultivated with ease almost all the fields of literary landscape of Bangladesh and produced valuable harvests, both in terms of quality and quantity." National Professor
National Professor ( bn, জাতীয় অধ্যাপক) is a prestigious teaching award given by the Government of Bangladesh for outstanding contribution on the field of education. It is awarded by the president of Bangladesh according ...
Abdur Razzaq
Abdul (also transliterated as Abdal, Abdel, Abdil, Abdol, Abdool, or Abdoul; ar, عبد ال, ) is the most frequent transliteration of the combination of the Arabic word '' Abd'' (, meaning "Servant") and the definite prefix '' al / el'' (, mea ...
stated that Sofa's works "constitute a treasure trove for Bengali literature" and "they create their own worlds where one can easily forget himself"/herself. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal ( bn, মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল; ; born 23 December 1952) is a Bangladeshi science fiction author, physicist, academic, activist & former professor of computer science and engineering and former head ...
called Sofa a 100% writer-litterateur from head to toe and wrote "It is our great fortune that a genius like him ofawas born" in Bangladesh. In Farhad Mazhar
Farhad Mazhar ( bn, ফরহাদ মজহার; born 9 August 1947) is a Bangladeshi poet, philosopher, writer, columnist, pharmacist, social and human rights activist, and environmentalist. He is one of the founders and the managing director ...
's opinion, Ahmed Sofa examined and surveyed Bengali Muslim society and the birth of Bangladesh so closely and intimately that nobody would make any progress in any field in Bangladesh, be it Bangladeshi politics, literature, or culture unless one studies and understands Sofa's works properly. Syed Abul Maksud stated that Ahmed Sofa is the biggest patriot he ever saw after 1967 and the biggest enemy of religious fundamentalism. During his lifetime, Sofa was "the ever uncompromising conscience of the nation, always upholding the truth and justice." Ahmed Sharif
Ahmed Sharif (13 February 1921 – 24 February 1999) was an educationist, philosopher, critic, writer and scholar of medieval Bengali literature. He is recognized as one of the most outspoken atheist and radical thinkers of Bangladesh.
Back ...
opined that Sofa was the bravest among Bangladeshi intellectuals. Sharif also said that if Bangladesh had few more Sofas, the country would be on the right track to a progressive society. Salimullah Khan
Salimullah Khan ( bn, সলিমুল্লাহ খান; born 18 August 1958) is a Bangladeshi writer. Khan explores national and international politics and culture using Marxist and Lacanian theories. Informed and influenced by Ahmed Sof ...
hailed Sofa as a visionary thinker and one of the world's greatest story-tellers and considered him a successor to Kazi Nazrul Islam
Kazi Nazrul Islam ( bn, কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম, ; 24 May 1899 – 29 August 1976) was a Bengali poet, Bengali literature, writer, Bangladeshi music, musician, and is the national poet of Bangladesh. Nazrul is regarded as one ...
's legacy. In Aktharuzzaman Elias's opinion, readers accompany Sofa in his journey to feel intimately the human in history and history in the human. Humayun Ahmed
Humayun Ahmed (; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and professor. His breakthrough was his debut novel ''Nondito Noroke'' published in 1972. He wrote over 200 ...
called Sofa an incredibly powerful writer and mentioned Sofa as his "mentor."
"Ahmed Sofa Rastroshobha" along with Centre for Asian Art and Culture organize the ''Ahmed Sofa Memorial Lecture'' at the University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...
every year. In Chittagong
Chittagong ( /ˈtʃɪt əˌɡɒŋ/ ''chit-uh-gong''; ctg, চিটাং; bn, চিটাগং), officially Chattogram ( bn, চট্টগ্রাম), is the second-largest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and third largest city in B ...
, Ahmed Sofa Centers founded by a teacher at Chittagong University
The University of Chittagong ( bn, চট্টগ্রাম বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, caṭṭagram bishwabidyalay) is a public research university with multidisciplinary faculties situated across a 1754-acres hilly landmas ...
commemorates his work through its activity.
Sofa's novels and stories are frequently adapted into plays, films, etc. ''Kaler Nayak'' (The Hero of the Age, 2014) written by Gazi Tanzia is a novel based on Ahmed Sofa's life.
Controversy and criticism
For a bohemian lifestyle, and outspoken nature, Sofa was a controversial figure during his lifetime. He was called rebel, devoid of regards for authority, and unnecessarily uncompromising harming his personal good. Rahat Khan
Rahat Khan (19 December 1940 – 28 August 2020) was a Bangladeshi journalist and litterateur. He wrote more than 32 novels. He won Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1973 and Ekushey Padak in 1996 by the Government of Bangladesh.
Early life
Kh ...
once called him mad. His disagreements with Humayun Azad
Humayun Azad (born Humayun Kabir; 28 April 1947 – 12 August 2004) was a Bangladeshi poet, novelist, short-story writer, critic, linguist, columnist and professor of Dhaka University. He wrote more than sixty titles. He was awarded the Bangl ...
, Taslima Nasreen
Taslima Nasrin (born 25 August 1962) is a Bangladeshi-Swedish writer, physician, feminist, secular humanist, and activist. She is known for her writing on women's oppression and criticism of religion. Some of her books are banned in Bangladesh ...
, and few others and subsequent denunciation of one another through write-ups were very much discussed and are still discussed by peers and new generation of writers. A professional writer, Sofa endured financial hardship though he was also known for his prodigality helping many in their need. Many speculate that early in Sofa's life, he used to frequent Abdur Razzaq's residence to seek financial help. German embassy in Dhaka financed Sofa's translation of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust. Sofa helped publish Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi, . Due to the lack of standardization of transcribing written and regionally pronounced Arabic, Gaddafi's name has been romanized in various ways. A 1986 column by ''The Straight Dope'' lists 32 spellin ...
's '' The Green Book'' in Bengali. Many were critical of his connection with Libyan and German embassies.
Sofa wanted to immolate
Immolation may refer to:
*Death by burning
*Self-immolation, the act of burning oneself
*Immolation (band), a death metal band from Yonkers, New York
*'' The Immolation'', a 1977 novel by Goh Poh Seng
*'' Dance Dance Immolation'', an interactive p ...
himself with a tinful of kerosene in 1972 to protest an attempted eviction of Humayun Ahmed
Humayun Ahmed (; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and professor. His breakthrough was his debut novel ''Nondito Noroke'' published in 1972. He wrote over 200 ...
's family from a house (allotted by government for the martyrs' family); Sikandar Abu Zafar stopped him from self-immolation by assuring and ensuring the prevention of the eviction. Humayun Ahmed reminisced about the event many times in his different memoirs.
Selected bibliography
Sofa published 18 non-fiction books, 8 novels, 4 collections of poems, 1 collection of short stories, and several books in other genres. His writings were initially published in journals, newspapers, weekly and monthly magazines, then reprinted in standard book formats.
;Essays
* ''Jagrata Bangladesh'' (Watchful Bangladesh, 1971)
* ''Buddhibrttir Natun Binyas'' (A New Mode of Intellectualism, 1972)
* ''Banglabhasha: Rajnitir Aloke'' (The Bengali Language: In the Light of Politics, 1975)
* ''Bangladesher Rajnoitik Jatilata'' (Political Complications in Bangladesh, 1977)
* ''Sipahi Yuddher Itihas'' (History of the Sepoy Movement, 1979)
* ''Bangali Musalmaner Man'' (The Mind of the Bengali Muslims, 1981)
* ''Sheikh Mjibur Rahman O Anyanya Prabantdha'' (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Other Essays, 1989)
* ''Rajnitir Lekha'' (Political Writings, 1993)
* ''Anupurbik Taslima O Anyanya Sparshakatara Prasanga'' (Taslima from Beginning to End and Other Sensitive Issues, 1994)
* ''Samprathik Bibechana: Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas'' (Reconsideration: A New Mode of Intellectualism, 1997)
* ''Shantichukti O Nirabachita Prabandha'' (Peace Treaty and Selected Essays, 1998)
* ''Yadyapi Amar Guru'' (He is Still My Teacher, 1998)
;Novels
* '' Surjo Tumi Sathi'' (Sun, You are My Companion, 1967)
* ''Omkar'' (The Om, 1975)
* ''Ekjan Ali Kenaner Utthan Patan'' (The Rise and Fall of an Ali Kenan, 1989)
* ''Maranbilas'' (Death-Wish, 1989)
* ''Alatachakra'' (A Circle of Fire, 1990)
* ''Gabhi Bittanta
''Gabhi Bittanta'' ( bn, গাভী বিত্তান্ত, English: A Tale of a Cow) is a 1995 satirical novel by Ahmed Sofa. Considered one of the best satires in Bengali literature, it satirizes "the practice and politics of vice-chancel ...
'' (A Tale of a Cow, 1994)
* ''Ardhek Nari Ardhek Ishvari'' (Half Woman and Half Goddess, 1996)
* ''Puspa Briksa ebang Bihanga Puran'' (Tales of Flowers, Trees and Birds, 1996)
;Short stories
* ''Nihata Nakshatra'' (Slain Star, 1969)
;Poems
* ''Jallad Samay'' (Time, the Hangman, 1975)
* ''Ekti Prabin Bater Kachhe Prarthana'' (Prayer to an Ancient Banayan Tree, 1977)
* ''Lenin Ghumobe Ebar'' (Lenin Will Sleep Now, 1999)
;Juvenile stories
*''Dolo Amar Kanakchapa'' (Let's Rock, My Kanakchapa, 1968)
;Nursery rhymes
* ''Go-Hakim'' (Bovine Justice, 1977)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sofa, Ahmed
1943 births
2001 deaths
People from Chittagong
University of Dhaka alumni
Bangladeshi essayists
Bangladeshi male poets
Bengali novelists
Bangladeshi male novelists
Bangladeshi secularists
20th-century poets
20th-century novelists
20th-century essayists
Burials at Mirpur Martyred Intellectual Graveyard
20th-century Bangladeshi male writers
20th-century Bengalis