Today marks the first death anniversary of Syed Shamsul Haq, one of the most powerful, prolific and versatile poet and writer of Bangladesh. He was a major literary voice of his time. He wrote poetry, plays, novels and essays. Since 1954, Syed Haq has published 39 volumes of poetry, 26 plays, including 11 verse-plays, 6 major novels, 49 novellas, 8 collections of short stories, 7 volumes of essay and an autobiography. Bangla literature has not seen a polymath of his equal in ages. His work is studied at schools, colleges and universities.

On the occasion of Syed Shamsul Haq’s first death anniversary, different socio-cultural organizations, including Shilpakala Academy have taken elaborate programmes. Besides, television channels will air various programmes in memory of the legend.

On the other hand, popular theatre troupe Prangone Mor has a made a documentary titled ‘Mohorjhora Sonar Kolomwala Ekjon’ to remember Syed Shamsul Haq on his first death anniversary. The documentary featuring his interview, literary works and personal life will be screened tomorrow (September 28) at 6:30pm at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital.

Besides, Prangone More will stage its audience-admired play ‘Irsha’ tomorrow at the same venue.

Written by prolific playwright Syed Shamsul Haq and directed by theatre activist Ananta Hira, ‘Irsha’ is the eighth production of Prangone Mor, which falls in ‘musical theatre’, a form of theatre that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The unique features of this experimental play include, this 100-minute drama has only seven dialogues with the longest one is 36-minute long while the shortest one is about 16 minutes. The play portrays the abstract struggles and conflicts between man and man, art and art or even artist and artist. The play also features some complicated human relationships on stage, in an abstract way. The dialogues, through which the play goes forward, do not follow a particular storyline and highlight the beauties of rural Bangla, plenty and greenery of harvesting fields as well as the spirit of the War of Liberation.

Born on December 27 in 1935, Syed Shamsul Haq is one of the most profound litterateurs of Bangladesh. His poems are unpretentious and draw the readers easily. He wrote poetry, fiction, plays (mostly in verse), and essays for Bengali literature. His literary works are included in the curriculum of school level, secondary, higher secondary and graduation level in the country.

The poet was honoured with Bangla Academy Award, Swadhinata Padak, Ekushey Padak, Adamjee Literary Award, Padabali Kobita Award, Nasiruddin Gold Medal, National Poetry Award and many more. He died of lung cancer at the age of 80 in Dhaka on September 27 in 2016. l