The nation is observing the 11th death anniversary of the iconic writer, filmmaker Humayun Ahmed today (January 19, 2023). Widely considered one of the cornerstones of modern Bangla literature, the legendary writer passed away on July 19, 2012, due to colorectal cancer at the age of 63 at Bellevue Hospital, New York, in the United States. His family and several organizations are observing the day with different programmes and events. Humayun Ahmed's widow and actress-media personality Meher Afroz Shaon, alongside their two sons Ninit and Nishad, placed wreaths at his grave in Nuhash Palli, Gazipur in the morning. Remembering Humayun Ahmed on his 74th birth anniversary Special prayers and Quran Khatam have been organized since morning, and a prayer ceremony was also held to seek eternal peace of his soul. Orphans will be fed at noon marking the occasion, according to both Shaon and the authority of Nuhash Palli. Himu Paribahan, a renowned fan unit of the prolific writer, has been observing the special day since 2013. Members of the platform placed wreaths at the writer's grave in the morning. Several other organisations are also commemorating the day with various events, while fans and admirers are sharing emotional tributes to the legend on their social media accounts. Television channels and radio stations are also airing various programmes, highlighting the life and glorious career of the wordsmith. Remembering Humayun Ahmed on his 10th death anniversary Humayun Ahmed was born in Kutubpur village at Mohanganj, Netrakona to Foyzur Rahman Ahmed and Ayesha Foyez on November 13, 1948. He passed the School Certificate (1965) from Bogra Zilla School, Intermediate from Dhaka College and earned his BSc and MSc in Chemistry from Dhaka University with first class. He joined Dhaka University as a lecturer of Chemistry and later went to North Dakota State University in the United States to pursue his PhD in Polymer Chemistry. 'Nondito Noroke' (1972) was Humayun Ahmed's debut novel, which gave him the breakthrough and propelled his career as a writer. The Ekushey Padak winner writer wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh to date. Remembering Humayun Ahmed, a polymath par excellence He won Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Shishu Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Padak, Bachsas Award, and more for his outstanding contributions in his illustrious career to the Bengali culture and entertainment sphere. Humayun Ahmed debuted with his drama 'Prothom Prohor' (1983) for Bangladesh Television (BTV). His successful journey in television continued with popular drama serials 'Ei Shob Din Ratri', 'Bohubrihi', 'Ayomoy', 'Nokkhotrer Raat', 'Aaj Robibar' and most notably, 'Kothao Keu Nei' which created a never-before-seen hype in the nation surrounding the lead character 'Baker Bhai', portrayed by veteran actor Asaduzzaman Noor. Humayun Ahmed also explored success as a filmmaker in the early 1990s and went on to make a total of eight films in his filmmaking career, each based on his novels. Two of his films, ‘Shyamol Chhaya’ (2004) and 'Ghetuputra Komola' (2012) were the official Bangladeshi submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in their respective years. He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films 'Shonkhonil Karagar' (as screenwriter), 'Aguner Poroshmoni', 'Daruchini Dwip' and 'Ghetuputra Komola'. Read more: Humayun Ahmed: The Creator of Versatile Fictional Characters

Samaresh Majumdar, the renowned Bengali novelist from West Bengal, India passed away on May 8, 2023. He was not only a prolific writer but also a source of inspiration for many filmmakers and TV drama producers. Majumdar's works were known for their realistic portrayal of social issues and human emotions. Some of his novels have been adapted into critically acclaimed films and TV dramas. From the Naxal movement in "Kalbela" to the character of detective Arjun in "Buno Haansh," Majumdar's works have taken the Bengali literary and cinematic world to a new height. Let’s explore some of the most memorable films and dramas based on Samaresh Majumdar's novels. 7 Films and TV Dramas based on Samaresh Majumdar’s Works to Watch Kaalbela Directed by Goutam Ghose the film "Kaalbela" was released on May 19, 2016. This film features a stellar cast including Soumitra Chatterjee, Santu Mukherjee, Parambrata Chatterjee, Rudranil Ghosh, Bratya Basu, Anandi Ghose, and others.  The story, based on a novel by Majumdar, revolves around the disillusionment of young Bengali students who take up the cause of revolution, only to be left with unanswered questions regarding the conduct of those who change their tracks midway.  The story is set against the backdrop of the political unrest in Kolkata during the 1960s, where we see Madhabilata fighting against societal norms as an unwed mother, while Animesh questions the ideology he once fought for. The film highlights the struggles faced by these young revolutionaries and the impact it has on their lives. The film manages to capture the essence of the novel and brings it to life on screen. Overall, "Kaalbela" is a compelling drama that is worth watching for its stellar performances and thought-provoking storyline. Read More: Netflix Originals in English Coming in June 2023 Buno Haansh “Buno Haansh” is a Bengali action thriller film directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, based on a novel by Samaresh Majumdar. The film was one of the high-budget films of Tollywood and was released on 15 August 2014. The main theme centres around Amal, who gets deeply involved in smuggling and eventually realises that he is a part of a dangerous game.  The film features Srabanti Chatterjee and Tanusree Chakraborty as the female leads and Moon Moon Sen as the central character.  “Buno Haansh” was produced by Bhushan Kumar and Arindam Sil served as the executive producer. The film was shot in various locations, including Mumbai, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Read More: ‘Deora’: Coke Studio Bangla’s latest featuring Pritom and Islamuddin Palakar is an instant hit   Arjun – Kalimpong E Sitaharan Bengali thriller film titled "Arjun - Kalimpong E Sitaharan," directed by Prem Prakash Modi and produced by Mukul Sarkar, was released in 2013. The movie starred Om Prakash Sahani and Sabyasachi Chakraborty as the lead actors.  Arjun is a famous Bengali fictional character created by the renowned novelist Samaresh Majumdar, primarily for a young audience. The film's storyline is based on two novels of Samaresh Majumdar, "Sitaharan Rahasya" and "Khunkharapi."  The storyline revolves around Sita, a teenage girl on the brink of adulthood, born and raised in the United States, who is brought to Kalimpong by her father to keep her away from her boyfriend, whom he considers a bad influence. The situation gets complicated when everyone appears to be part of a conspiracy and deception. The climax reveals that Sita's father is the culprit, as disclosed by Amol Shome (played by Sabyasachi Chakraborty). Arjun (starring Om) helps his mentor Amol solve the case in Kalimpong.  The film was shot in different locations in West Bengal and Sikkim, including the scenic spots of Kalimpong with misty mountains and dense jungles. Critics and reviewers gave the film mixed reviews, with some criticising the weak dialogues and loud background score. Nonetheless, Om's depiction of Arjun, a sleuth of the Gen X, received praise. Read More: May 2023 New Releases: Top 10 Upcoming South Indian Films Garbhodharini “Garbhodharini” is a TV adaptation of Samaresh Majumdar's novel that narrates the story of four friends who want to change the outlooks and values of their society.

OTT (Over-the-Top) platforms have revolutionized the service of watching TV with web content on the Internet. OTT offers users an alternative way to watch their favorite TV shows, movies, and other content. Nowadays, different local OTT platforms have become increasingly popular in Bangladesh. The emergence of new forms of Bengali serials following the trend of international web series is giving a power boost to the entertainment industry. In his legacy, the Bangla OTT platform Binge offers a wide range of available content.  The popular playwright and director Vicky Zahed's first web series 'Silence' is going to be a more blazing example of this evolution. The web series stars a bunch of popular and talented actors from old to new generations. Let’s get updated about this thriller series which is waiting to be released on Binge screen in the upcoming February month. Vicky Zahed: A Storyteller Who Plays with the Psychology of his Audience The birth date of Vicky Zahed is August 29, 1990. He spent his entire childhood and adolescence in Dhaka. Although he studied textile engineering, he went straight to visual media after his studies from the Bangladesh University of Textiles. Taking this new career turn was not very pleasant. On the other hand, he had to fight a lot with himself and his family in addition to pursuing his career against the tide. Read More: Angela Bassett’s Oscar nomination for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” first acting nod for a Marvel movie After several works, 26-year-old Vicky Zahed finally got the limelight in 2016 for the short film 'Moments'. In line with its popularity, 'Maya', 'Doyal', 'Durbin', and 'Aaj Amar Pala' were released one by one. Through these works, he basically tried to understand his audience as well as taught himself. With 'Dwitiyo Shuchona', 'Priyo Adnan', and 'Kaikobaad', he continued to redefine the thriller genre in Bangladesh. Each of his creations comes with fresh themes, concepts, and storylines which have entertained the fans of the Bangla thriller genre. The drama 'Chirokal Aaj' and the web film series ‘Punorjonmo’ finally marked a long milestone in his career. Vicky became the focus of patronage for many prominent figures in the entertainment industry. Punorjonmo-3 became one of the most viewed videos on YouTube within just 12 hours of its release. Even those who did not know Vicky till then watched the film and went back to watch its first parts. Read More: Top 10 Upcoming English TV Shows on Netflix in February 2023 Now, Vicky Zahed’s creations come first, when it comes to crime, thriller, supernatural, and suspense dramas or movies in Bangladesh. This is very obvious for him to be a devoted fan of Alfred Hitchcock, the father of the modern thriller genre in Hollywood. He candidly admits his interest in playing with the psychology of the audience. Even to critics, he is unabashed, straightforward, and spontaneous in his storytelling.

The 74th birth anniversary of legendary writer, lyricist, academician, playwright and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed is being observed on Sunday. Often regarded as one of the best writers in Bengali literature Humayun Ahmed is credited with revitalizing Bengali literature and is best known for his iconic fictional characterisations such as ‘Himu’, ‘Misir Ali’, ‘Baker Bhai’ and others, as well as for his ‘magic-realism’ based storytelling. Making the breakthrough in the Bengali litmosphere with his debut novel Nondito Noroke (1972), Humayun wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh and are still popular among his readers. Read more: Remembering Humayun Ahmed on his 10th death anniversary Unanimously regarded as the bestseller author at the Ekushey Book Fairs during the 1990s and 2000s, the majestic litterateur received Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Shishu Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Padak, Bachsas Award and more, for his outstanding contributions to the Bengali culture and entertainment sphere. As a successful content-maker in television, Ahmed debuted with his drama 'Prothom Prohor' (1983) for Bangladesh Television (BTV).  His successful journey in television continued with popular drama serials 'Ei Shob Din Ratri', 'Bohubrihi', 'Ayomoy', 'Nokkhotrer Raat', 'Aaj Robibar' and most notably, 'Kothao Keu Nei' for the character of ‘Baker Bhai’ played by eminent actor Asaduzzaman Noor. Humayun Ahmed also explored success as a filmmaker in the early 1990s and went on to make a total of eight films in his filmmaking career, each based on his own novels. Two of his films, 'Sjyamol Chhaya' (2004) and 'Ghetuputra Komola' (2012) were the official Bangladeshi submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in their respective releasing years. He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films Shonkhonil Karagar' (as scriptwriter), 'Aguner Poroshmoni', 'Daruchini Dwip' and 'Ghetuputra Komola'. Read more: Remembering Humayun Ahmed, a polymath par excellence Commemorating his life and legacy, family members and different organisations along with his admirers are set to observe Humayun Ahmed’s birth anniversary today. Humayun Ahmed’s widow and cultural personality Meher Afroz Shaon, alongside their sons Nishad Humayun and Ninith Humayun, began the day with admirers of the legendary litterateur at their house ‘Dakhin Hawa’ in the capital through a cake-cutting ceremony at 12 am. Himu Paribahan, a noted fan group of the eminent writer, has been observing his birth anniversary for many years. It organised a special procession where the members walked barefoot on the Dhaka University campus and placed floral wreaths on Humayun’s grave in Nuhash Polli, Gazipur, in the morning. Among other events, Channel-i will organise a daylong Humayun Mela at its Tejgaon office and theatre troupe Bahubachan will premiere its play ‘Ami Ebong Amra’, based on the famous book of Humayun’s ‘Misir Ali’ series, at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) at 6:30 pm. Meanwhile, the EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award 2022 was presented among the recipients, marking the eve of the 74th birth anniversary of Humayun Ahmed at Bangla Academy’s Abdul Karim Shattya Bisharad Auditorium on Saturday. Ekushey Padak-winning renowned writer Anwara Syed Haq received the award this year for her literary contribution to the country’s literature arena, while Mouri Morium won the award in the Young Litterateur Category which is awarded to under 40-year-old writers, for her novel ‘Fanus'. Read more: Humayun Ahmed: The Creator of Versatile Fictional Characters Agriculture Minister Mohammad Abdur Razzaque was present as chief guest at the ceremony, while State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid also joined the event as the special guest. Anyadin Editor Mazharul Islam, EXIM Bank Additional Managing Director Shah Md Abdul Bari and Meher Afroz Shaon spoke at the event, which was presided over by the EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award jury board President and eminent academician Syed Manzoorul Islam. Since 2015, the ceremony is being held annually on November 12, the day before the eminent litterateur's birth anniversary. So far, 14 young and senior writers have received the award till date.

The 13th death anniversary of fiction writer and former additional secretary Md Khurshid Alam will be observed Thursday. Khurshid belonged to the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) Cadre 1982 batch. Also, he wrote 19 books. Read: Remembering Humayun Ahmed on his 10th death anniversary Khurshid's first book "Shet-kopoter Dana" was published in 1987. His other works include "Digomborir Prem Nei," "Vangoner Podaboli," "Poribesh, Shomaj O Shamajik Bikash," and "Unoshotturer Koishor." The former bureaucrat's last book "Shikkhoker Shomudro Jatra" was published in 2008.

Tuesday marks the 10th death anniversary of eminent Bangladeshi writer, playwright, lyricist, academician and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed. The legendary litterateur passed away on July 19, 2012 due to colorectal cancer at the age of 63 at Bellevue Hospital, New York, in the United States. Commemorating the death anniversary, his family and several organizations are observing the day with different programmes and events. Humayun Ahmed's widow and actress and singer Meher Afroz Shaon, alongside their two sons Ninit and Nishad, placed floral wreaths at his grave at Nuhash Palli, Gazipur in the morning. Special prayers and Quran Khatam were organized in the morning, and a prayer ceremony was also held to seek the forgiveness of his soul. Orphans will be fed at noon marking this occasion, according to both Shaon and the authority of Nuhash Palli. Himu Paribahan, a renowned fan unit of the prolific litterateur, has been observing this special day since 2013. Members of the platform placed floral wreaths at the writer's grave in the morning. The Kishoreganj district unit of the group is organizing a special book reading season titled "Himu-der Boi Uthsab" from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Gurudayal College Field Muktamancha, while the Narsingdi unit of the platform will commemorate the legend with a special publication titled 'Kachari'. Besides, different units of the platform will plant trees in more than 45 districts and organise awareness programmes against cancer in more than 20 districts. Read: Remembering Humayun Ahmed, a polymath par excellence Several other organisations are also commemorating the day with various events, while fans and admirers are sharing emotional tributes to the legend on their social media accounts. Television channels and radio stations are also airing various programmes, highlighting the life and glorious career of the wordsmith. Channel-i is commemorating the acclaimed filmmaker with a special three-day programme schedule, showcasing three films of the prolific filmmaker including "Amar Achhe Jol" on Sunday, "Shrabon Megher Din" on Monday and "Ghetuputra Komola" on today. Humayun Ahmed was born in Kutubpur village at Mohanganj, Netrakona to Foyzur Rahman Ahmed and Ayesha Foyez on November 13, 1948. In his academic life, he passed the School Certificate (1965) from Bogra Zilla School, Intermediate from Dhaka College and earned his BSc and MSc in Chemistry from Dhaka University with first class. He joined Dhaka University as a lecturer of Chemistry and later went to North Dakota State University in the United States to pursue his PhD in Polymer Chemistry. 'Nondito Noroke' (1972) was Humayun Ahmed's debut novel, which gave Humayun the breakthrough and propelled his career as a writer. The Ekushey Padak winner writer wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh to date. Humayun Ahmed won Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Shishu Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Padak, Bachsas Award, and more for his outstanding contributions in his illustrious career to the Bengali culture and entertainment sphere. As a content maker in television, Ahmed debuted with his drama 'Prothom Prohor' (1983) for Bangladesh Television (BTV).  His successful journey in television continued with popular drama serials 'Ei Shob Din Ratri', 'Bohubrihi', 'Ayomoy', 'Nokkhotrer Raat', 'Aaj Robibar' and most notably, 'Kothao Keu Nei' which created a historic hype in the nation - surrounding the lead character 'Baker Bhai', portrayed by veteran actor Asaduzzaman Noor. Humayun Ahmed also explored success as a filmmaker in the early 1990s and went on to make a total of eight films in his filmmaking career, each based on his own novels. Two of his films, 'Syamol Chhaya' (2004) and 'Ghetuputra Komola' (2012) were the official Bangladeshi submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in their respective years. He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films 'Shonkhonil Karagar' (as screenwriter), 'Aguner Poroshmoni', 'Daruchini Dwip' and 'Ghetuputra Komola'. The literateur is survived by two sons Ninit and Nishad with his second wife and actor-director Meher Afroze Shaon; and the only son Nuhash Humayun who is currently working in the media industry as a content creator and director, and three daughters Nova, Shila, Bipasha with his first wife Gultekin Ahmed.

Former finance minister AMA Muhith was not only a gifted economist but also a prolific writer. Bangladesh, Emerge of a Nation (1978), American Response to Bangladesh (1996), An Agenda for Good Governance (2007), History of Bangladesh: A Subcontinental Civilisation (2016), Bangladesh in the Twenty-First Century: Towards an Industrial Society (1999) and Smritir Monikothay (2014) are some of his popular books. Five of his books were published by University Press Limited (UPL), one of the leading publishing houses in Bangladesh. READ: First namaz-e-janaza of Muhith held Mahrukh Mohiuddin, the owner of UPL, said Muhith was always interested in research work. "In spite of his busy schedule, he was actively engaged in research work. If the editor had any suggestions on any of his  manuscripts, Muhith would welcome them." "My father, Mohiuddin Ahmed, who published his books, told me that he had at times rejected Muhith's manuscript but he was never offended. That was his spirit," said Mahrukh.

Begum Rokeya Day is being observed marking the 139th birth and 87th death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, the pioneer for women's rights in the subcontinent. The Women and Children Affairs Ministry, Begum Rokeya Foundation and various socio-cultural and political organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day. Read: Five noted women receive Rokeya Padak-2021 President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages paying rich tributes to Begum Rokeya. Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain was born on December 9 in 1880 at Pairaband village in Rangpur. She also passed away on December 9 in 1932. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was a Bengali feminist thinker, writer, educationist, social activist, advocate of women's rights, and widely regarded as the pioneer of women's education in the Indian subcontinent during the time of the British rule. Five eminent women were honoured with the prestigious Begum Rokeya Padak-2021 on Thursday for their outstanding contributions to women empowerment and social development. The recipients areProf Hasina Zakaria Bela, Archana Biswas, Shamsunnahar Rahman Paran (posthumous), Dr Zinat Huda and Dr Saria Sultana. Read:Move forward breaking barriers: Hasina tells women Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the award-giving ceremony and celebration of Begum Rokeya Day-2021, virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. On behalf of the Prime Minister, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira handed over the medals and certificates to the recipients and their relatives. The Women and Children Affairs Ministry arranged the programme at the city’s Osmani Smriti Auditorium.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Monday expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Ekushey Padak-conferred short story writer and novelist Hasan Azizul Huq. In a condolence message, the president said Hasan Azizul Huq's demise is an irreparable loss for the literary arena of the country. "His contribution to the literature and culture of the country will always be remembered." The writer, who was undergoing treatment due to several health issues, passed away in Rajshahi tonight. He was 82. Also read: Eminent writer Hasan Azizul Huq passes away In August, Hasan Azizul Huq was brought to Dhaka via an air ambulance after falling seriously ill with imbalanced electrolytes and heart disease. He returned home a few days later. Also, he had age-related health issues, heart problems and diabetes. The writer was first admitted to the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute. A 16-member medical board was formed for his treatment. Later he was shifted to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University where another medical board of five doctors was formed. Born in Jabgraam in the Burdwan district of West Bengal in 1939, Hasan Azizul Huq completed his post-graduation from Rajshahi University in 1960.  He served as a faculty in the Department of Philosophy of the same university from 1973 till 2004. Considered as one of the most prominent writers and a legendary litterateur in the country, Hasan received many prestigious awards in his literary career, including the Bangla Academy Literary Award (1970), Ekushey Padak (1999), Ananda Puroshkar (2008), Independence Award (2019), Lekhok Shibir Puroshkar and more, for his contribution to Bengali literature. The president prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed the deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. In a message of condolence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Hasan Azizul Huq will be remembered for his literary work and creativity. She prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Monday marks the 5th death anniversary of the Ekushey Padak and Independence Award-winning writer, playwright and poet Syed Shamsul Haq. The day is being observed by different organisations through various events including remembrance lecture programmes, book launch events, cultural shows and more. Kurigram district administration alongside some other different cultural and educational institutions  brought out a  procession and placed floral wreaths on Haq’s grave on Kurigram Government College campus at 9 am. Later, Kurigram Press Club arranged a discussion programme at Syed Shamsul Haq Milanayatan at 12 pm. Read:Writer Syed Shamsul Haque remembered in Kurigram Prothoma Prokashon, a renowned publishing firm, will launch Syed Shamsul Haq's novel titled ‘Patan’ at the National Art Gallery auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) at 5 pm. Besides, publishing house Oitijjhya will publish Haq's translation work ‘Quraner Marmanubad’, Journeyman will publish the collection of his essays titled ‘Drishyantari Manushera,’ Ananya will publish ‘Aynabibir Pala’ and Nabanna Prokashoni will publish ‘Muktijuddher Kabita,’ a collection of poems based on Mymensingh Geetika. Haq was born in Kurigram on December 27, 1935 to Syed Siddique Husain, a homoeopathic physician, and Halima Khatun. He began writing at a young age, and before completing his matriculation exams, he had written over 200 poems. He enrolled in the English Department at Dhaka University but did not complete his studies. In 1951, Haq published his debut story titled "Udayasta," in Fazle Lohani-edited literary journal ‘Agatya’. In the same year, he moved to Mumbai, India, to pursue a career as a film director but returned to Dhaka after just a few days, to focus on writing. Creating a new literary trend in the contemporary Bengali drama, Haq  wrote popular verse plays such as “Nuruldiner Sara Jibon,” “Payer Awaj Paoa Jay,” “Ekhane Ekhon,” “Irsha,” “Banglar Mati Banglar Jol” and others. Also earning a remarkable reputation for novel, he penned many popular and well-acclaimed novels including “Nishiddho Loban,” “Stobdhotar Anubad,” “Baro Diner Jibon,” “Tumi Sei Torbari,” “Simana Chhariye,” “Neel Dangshan,” “Koyekti Manusher Sonali Joubon,” “Nirbasita,” “Khelaram Khele Ja,” “Megh o Machine,” “Brishti o Bidrohigan,” “Swapno Songkranto,” and more. He wrote several collections of poems including “Birotiheen Utsob,” “Ekoda Ek Rajye,” “Baishakhe Rochito Pangktimala,” “Protidhwonigon,” “Poraner Gohin Bhitor,” Agni o Joler Kabita,” “Ek Ashcharja Songramer Smriti,” Kabita Somogro” in three volumes and others. As a prolific lyricist, Haq penned hundreds of playback songs, including “Hayre Manush Rongin Phanush,” “Emon Moja Hoy Na,” “Tumi Ashbe Bole Kachhe Dakbe Bole,” “Chander Sathe Ami Debo Na Tomar Tulona” and more. Besides, he also wrote many screenplays for mainstream films. Read:Writer Syed Shamsul Haque remembered in Kurigram Often considered one of the best translators in Bangladesh, Haq  translated many popular western classics including William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth,’ ‘Hamlet,’ ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Troilus and Cressida,’ to name a few. For his influential role in the literature, Syed Shamsul Haq received Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1964, only at the age of 29. The litterateur also received two of the highest state awards - the Ekushey Padak in 1984 and the Independence Award in 2000. He passed away on September 27, 2016 at the United Hospital in the capital, at the age of 81 after suffering from critical lungs disease. He is survived by his wife Dr Anwara Syed Haq, son Ditio Syed-Haq, daughter Bidita Sadi and a host of relatives, well-wishers, fans and admirers.