Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud (known as Al Mahmud; 11 July 1936 – 15 February 2019) was a Bangladeshi poet, novelist, and short-story writer. He is considered one of the greatest

Bengali Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to: *something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia * Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region * Bengali language, the language they speak ** Bengali alphabet, the w ...

poets to have emerged in the 20th century. His work in Bengali poetry is dominated by his frequent use of regional dialects. In the 1950s he was among those Bengali poets who were outspoken in their writing on such subjects as the events of the Bengali Language Movement, nationalism, political and economical repression, and the struggle against the West Pakistani government.

Early life and career

Mahmud was born in Morail Village of

Brahmanbaria District Brahmanbaria ( bn, ব্রাহ্মণবাড়িয়া, translit=Brahmôṇbaṛiya) is a district in eastern Bangladesh located in the Chittagong Division. Geographically, it is mostly farmland and is topographically part of the Ga ...

in present-day Bangladesh. His childhood and secondary education days were spent in this village which is located adjacent to Brahmanbaria town. Mahmud started his career as a journalist. He obtained widespread recognition after ''Lok Lokantor'' was published in 1963. In succession, he then penned ''Kaler Kalosh'' (1966), ''Sonali Kabin'' (1973), and ''Mayabi Porda Dule Otho'' (1976). His other notable poetical works include, ''Arobbo Rojonir Rajhash'', ''Bakhtiyarer Ghora'' and ''Nodir Bhitorer Nodi''. In addition to writing poetry, he wrote short stories, novels and essays such as ''Pankourir Rakta'' and ''Upamohadesh''. In 1971 he went to India and worked there to build public opinion in favour of the Liberation War of Bangladesh. After the war, he joined ''The Daily Ganakantha'' as the assistant editor. He was jailed for a year during the regime of the

Awami League In Urdu language, Awami is the adjectival form for '' Awam'', the Urdu language word for common people. The adjective appears in the following proper names: *Awami Colony, a neighbourhood of Landhi Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan *Awami Front, wa ...

government. Later, he joined

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy ( bn, শিল্পকলা একাডেমি; National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts) is the principal state-sponsored national cultural center of Bangladesh. History It is the national academy of f ...

in 1975 and retired in 1993 as director of the academy.

Literary work

Mahmud's literary work ''Shonali Kabin'' published in 1973, is considered as a landmark of Bengali poetry. Philosopher

Sibnarayan Ray Sibnarayan Ray (1921–2008) was an Indian thinker, educationist, philosopher and literary critic who wrote in the Bengali language. A radical humanist, he is widely reputed for his works on Marxist-revolutionary Manabendra Nath Roy, and famou ...

commented:

Selected works

Awards

Bangla Academy Literary Award The Bangla Academy Literary Award ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি সাহিত্য পুরস্কার; ''Bangla Academy Shahitya Puroshkar''), is given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius i ...

(1968) * Joy Bangla Award (1972) * Humayun Kabir Memorial Award (1972) * Jibonananda Memorial Award (1972) * Kaji Motaher Hossain Literary Award (1976) * Kabi Jasim Uddin Award * Philips Literary Award (1986) *

Ekushey Padak Ekushey Padak ( bn, একুশে পদক; lit. "Twentyfirst Award") is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contribut ...

(1986) * Nasir Uddin Gold Award (1990) * Chattagram Sangskriti Kendro Farrukh Memorial Award (1995) * Alakta Literary Award * Lalon Award (2011)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Mahmud, Al 1936 births 2019 deaths People from Brahmanbaria district Bangladeshi male poets Bangladeshi male novelists Bengali-language poets 20th-century Bangladeshi poets 20th-century Bengali poets 20th-century Bangladeshi male writers Recipients of the Ekushey Padak Recipients of Bangla Academy Award Deaths from pneumonia in Bangladesh