Adieu Syed Shamsul Haq

Being decorated with over a dozen national and international awards, not only did Syed Shamsul Haq bring fame to himself but also to his nation, and foremost he enriched Bengali literature

Every death repeats the same old truth – man is mortal, renowned poet, writer and literati Syed Shamsul Haq’s death on 27th September was no exception in this regard. Though none can predict whether he will live the next day, in Haq’s case it became rather apparent when the doctors in London had hammered the last nail in the coffin of all hopes to cure and survival.  
Haq’s literary genius goes across genres while he particularly focused on poetry, fiction, plays (mostly in verse), lyrics and essays. He was also a successful translator. His literary works were included in the curriculum of school level, secondary, higher secondary and graduation levels of Bengali literature in Bangladesh. 
Some of his best known plays, including ‘Payer Awaj Paoa Jay’ (We hear the footsteps) and ‘ Nuruldiner Sara Jibon’ (Entire life of Nuruldin) , are today considered  milestones in the history of Bengali theatre. ‘Guerilla’, a 2011 award winning film based on the events of the 1971 Liberation War, was also adapted from his novel ‘Nishiddho Loban’. He even excelled in the field of column writing for Bengali newspapers.  
Being decorated with over a dozen national and international awards, not only he had brought fame to himself but also to his nation, and foremost had enriched the Bengali literature in various capacities.
However, we must remember that death is a reality and Haq’s contribution to Bengali literature will be truly valued if current and future generations of Bengali poets and writers carry forward his creative aspirations further beyond.  We must be committed to preserve and build on his literary legacy. 
Last but not least, on the topic of writing, the eminent late author George Orwell is quoted to have sarcastically said - Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one was not driven on by some demon, whom one can neither resist nor understand.    
That Orwell’s supposedly demon, which had driven Syed Shamsul Haq to pick up the pen, was perhaps only a good one, too passionate and too busy materialising Haq’s creative literary genius with an unyielding goal. The goal was to take Bengali literature to new heights. Haq has undeniably thrived hard to accomplish it.  
Adieu Syed Shamsul Haq, more than we are sad, we are honoured to have you among us and as a Bengali.

Adieu Syed Shamsul Haq

Being decorated with over a dozen national and international awards, not only did Syed Shamsul Haq bring fame to himself but also to his nation, and foremost he enriched Bengali literature

Every death repeats the same old truth man is mortal, renowned poet, writer and literati Syed Shamsul Haqs death on 27th September was no exception in this regard. Though none can predict whether he will live the next day, in Haqs case it became rather apparent when the doctors in London had hammered the last nail in the coffin of all hopes to cure and survival. Haqs literary genius goes across genres while he particularly focused on poetry, fiction, plays (mostly in verse), lyrics and essays. He was also a successful translator. His literary works were included in the curriculum of school level, secondary, higher secondary and graduation levels of Bengali literature in Bangladesh. Some of his best known plays, including Payer Awaj Paoa Jay (We hear the footsteps) and Nuruldiner Sara Jibon (Entire life of Nuruldin) , are today considered milestones in the history of Bengali theatre. Guerilla, a 2011 award winning film based on the events of the 1971 Liberation War, was also adapted from his novel Nishiddho Loban. He even excelled in the field of column writing for Bengali newspapers. Being decorated with over a dozen national and international awards, not only he had brought fame to himself but also to his nation, and foremost had enriched the Bengali literature in various capacities. However, we must remember that death is a reality and Haqs contribution to Bengali literature will be truly valued if current and future generations of Bengali poets and writers carry forward his creative aspirations further beyond. We must be committed to preserve and build on his literary legacy. Last but not least, on the topic of writing, the eminent late author George Orwell is quoted to have sarcastically said - Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one was not driven on by some demon, whom one can neither resist nor understand. That Orwells supposedly demon, which had driven Syed Shamsul Haq to pick up the pen, was perhaps only a good one, too passionate and too busy materialising Haqs creative literary genius with an unyielding goal. The goal was to take Bengali literature to new heights. Haq has undeniably thrived hard to accomplish it. Adieu Syed Shamsul Haq, more than we are sad, we are honoured to have you among us and as a Bengali.