Shahed Ali
Shahed Ali (24 May 1925, Mahmudpur, Sunamganj - 2001) was one of the leading short story writers of Bangladesh and is considered to be one of the literary giants of his time in the realm of Bengali literature. He was also an educator, a progressive Islamic thinker, a journalist, editor of multiple magazines and one of the founders of the Islamic Organization named "Tamaddun Mazlish." He is most famous for his short story "Jibrailer Dana" (Gabriel's wings) which has been translated in English by his daughter, novelist Dilruba Zeenat Ara.
Life and works
Shahed Ali was born in Sylhet, Bangladesh and was the oldest of nine brothers and sisters. His literary career began prior to the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent. His first story Asru (tears) was published in 1940 when he was a student of grade eight. He worked as the editor of a magazine called "Pravati" from 1944-1966. He later became involved with a magazine named "Saynik" which served as the banner for the Bengali language movement. He worked as the editor of Saynik from 1948-1950. He was also the editor of two journals of the Islamic foundation, "Sabuj Pata" and "Islamic Academy Patrika." He was also actively involved with Allama Iqbal Sangsad Magazine from 1963-1982. He was elected a Member of Legislative assembly of the Government of East Pakistan in 1954 but decided to quit politics when Ayub Khan imposed martial law in 1958 .
List of works
Some of his most famous short stories:
- Jibrailer Dana (Gabriel's Wings)
- Eki Shomotole (On the same plane)[Included in the University Curriculum]
- Shah Nazar (a bridegroom's vision)
- Amar Kahini (Ageless story)
- Natun Zamindar (The new landlord)
Works he translated into Bengali:
- Herodotus
- Road to Mecca - Muhammad Asad
- Fundamentals of Economics
- History of political theory
- Islam in Bangladesh
- Economic order of Islam
- Modern Science and Modern People's history
Awards
- Bangla Academy Award (1964)
- Ekushe Padak (1989)
- Tamgha I Imtiaz (1969)
- Language movement Award (1981)
- Nasiruddin Gold medal (1985)
- Islamic Foundation Award (1986)
- Jallalabad Club Award (1988)
- Jallalabad Club Forum February 21 and independence award (1990)
- Bangladesh National student award (England) (1991)
- Bangladesh Islamic School (Dubai) literature award (1992)
- Poet Forrukah Memorial Award (1997)
- Ragib Rabeya Shitta award (1998)
Family:
Professor Shahed Ali's wife, Chemon Ara is a retired professor of Bengali and a writer.Ex Principal Chittagong Women's college They have six children.
| Children | Grandchildren |
|---|---|
| Ahmed Abdullah (Pharmacist, Associate-Shoppers Drug Mart - Canada) | Silmi Abdullah, Shabab Abdullah, Lamiha Abdullah |
| Ahmed Ruhullah (Marine officer - Australia) | Sarah Ruhullah (1993), Fariha Ruhullah (1998) |
| Ahmed Fazlullah (Bangladesh Bank) | Hassan (Nafim) |
| Bilquis Ferdous Ara (Physician - Australia) | Raiyan Ferdous |
| Dilruba Zeenat Ara (Novelist, Painter, Lecturer - Sweden) | Navid Christensen, Tania Christensen |
| Dilshad Rahat Ara (Architect, Assistant professor of Architecture - UAE) | Sabaa Rashid |
References
Selected Short Stories of Shahed Ali - Dilruba Z. Ara http://www.banglapedia.org/bangla/index.htm
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