Wikipedia

Ahmed Sofa

Bangladeshi writer, thinker, novelist, poet, and public intellectual (1943–2001)

Ahmed Sofa (Bengali: আহমদ ছফা; 30 June 1943 – 28 July 2001) was a Bangladeshi writer and novelist.[1][2][3][4]

Ahmed Sofa
Sofa in 1995
Sofa in 1995
Native name
আহমদ ছফা
Born(1943-06-30)30 June 1943
Gachbaria, Chittagong, Bengal Presidency, British India (now in Bangladesh)
Died28 July 2001(2001-07-28) (aged 58)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Resting placeMartyred Intellectuals Memorial
OccupationWriter
NationalityBangladeshi
Alma materUniversity of Dhaka
Period1967–2001
GenreFiction, non-fiction, short stories, poetry

Born in Chittagong, Sofa was educated at the University of Dhaka. He served many newspapers, and magazines as editors. A writer by occupation, Sofa wrote 18 non-fiction books, 8 novels, 4 collections of poems, 1 collection of short stories, and several books in other genres.

In Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas (A New Mode of Intellectualism, 1972), Sofa reminded the writers and artists of their true responsibility.[5] In Bangali Musalmaner Man (The Mind of the Bengali Muslims, 1981), Sofa surveyed the history of Bengali Muslims to explain how their identity was formed, and how they might overcome the causes of their backwardness.[6][7][8]

In Gabhi Bittanta (A Tale of a Cow, 1995), Sofa satirizes Bangladeshi university teachers engaged in party politics and corruption.[9] Pushpa Briksa ebang Bihanga Puran (Tales of Flowers, Trees, and Birds, 1996) narrates Sofa's personal relation with birds, plants and nature.[10][9][11]

Sofa is a very influential writer in Bangladesh.[12][13][14] Sofa was criticized for his bohemian lifestyle.[15] He was called rebel, mad and insolent[16]

He was awarded Ekushe Padak posthumously by the Government of Bangladesh in 2002.[1][17] Sofa rejected Lekhak Shibir Award in 1975, and Sa'dat Ali Akanda Award offered by Bangla Academy in 1993.[18][17][19]

Books by Sofa

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Essays

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  • Jagrata Bangladesh (Watchful Bangladesh) (1971)
  • Buddhibrttir Natun Binyas (A New Mode of Intellectualism) (1972)
  • "'Banglabhasha: Rajnitir Aloke (The Bengali Language: In the Light of Politics) (1975)
  • Bangladesher Rajnoitik Jatilata (Political Complications in Bangladesh) (1977)
  • Sipahi Yuddher Itihas (History of the Sepoy Movement) (1979)
  • Bangali Musalmaner Man (The Mind of the Bengali Muslims) (1981)
  • Sheikh Mjibur Rahman O Anyanya Prabantdha (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Other Essays) (1989)
  • Rajnitir Lekha (Political Writings) (1993)
  • Anupurbik Taslima O Anyanya Sparshakatara Prasanga (Taslima from Beginning to End and Other Sensitive Issues) (1994)
  • Samprathik Bibechana: Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas (Reconsideration: A New Mode of Intellectualism) (1997)
  • Shantichukti O Nirabachita Prabandha (Peace Treaty and Selected Essays) (1998)
  • Yadyapi Amar Guru (He is Still My Teacher) (1998)

Novels

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  • Surya Tumi Sathi (Sun, You are My Companion) (1967)
  • Omkar (The Om) (1975)
  • Ekjan Ali Kenaner Utthan Patan (The Rise and Fall of an Ali Kenan) (1989)
  • Maranbilas (Death-Wish) (1989)
  • Alatachakra (A Circle of Fire) (1990)
  • Gabhi Bittanta (A Tale of a Cow) 1994)
  • Ardhek Nari Ardhek Ishvari (Half Woman and Half Goddess) (1996)
  • Puspa Briksa ebang Bihanga Puran (Tales of Flowers, Trees and Birds) (1996)

Short stories

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  • Nihata Nakshatra (Slain Star) (1969)

Poems

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  • Jallad Samay (Time, the Hangman) (1975)
  • Ekti Prabin Bater Kachhe Prarthana (Prayer to an Ancient Banayan Tree) (1977)
  • Lenin Ghumobe Ebar (Lenin Will Sleep Now) (1999)

Juvenile stories

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  • Dolo Amar Kanakchapa (Let's Rock, My Kanakchapa) (1968)

Nursery rhymes

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  • Go-Hakim (Bovine Justice) (1977)

References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Khan, Salimullah (2013) [The chapter was first published in 2009]. "Name Ase Name Jay" নামে আসে নামে যায় [Name Matters]. Ahmed Sofa Sonjiboni আহমেদ ছফা সঞ্জীবনী [Ahmed Sofa Elixir] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Agamee Prakashani. p. 21. ISBN 978-984-04-1585-4.
  2. ↑ Amin, Dr. Mohammad (17 March 2017). "Ahmed Sofa:Bangla Sahityer Anabadya Rupakar" আহমদ ছফা: বাংলা সাহিত্যের অনবদ্য রূপকার [Ahmed Sofa: The Impeccable Pioneer of Bengali Literature]. The Daily Sangram (in Bengali). Dhaka: Bangladesh Publications Ltd. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018. বাংলা সাহিত্যে এ পর্যন্ত যত প্রাবন্ধিক, লেখক এবং সাহিত্যিক জন্মগ্রহণ করেছেন তন্মধ্যে আহমদ ছফাই সবচেয়ে সাহসী, বুদ্ধিমান, স্বতঃস্ফূর্ত, নির্লোভ, ঋদ্ধ, কুশলী, বহুমুখী, সাধারণ এবং তেজময়। [So far among all writers and intellectuals born in Bengali, Sofa is the most brilliant, brave, spontaneous, selfless, multidimensional, extraordinary and energetic..]... তাঁর প্রবন্ধে গবেষণার ঐকান্তিকতা, ইতিহাসের নিবিড়তা, কাব্যের প্রাণবন্ততা, উপন্যাসের বিমূর্ততা আর নাটকের পরিণতি ত্রিকালদর্শীর মতো চিরন্তন, সতত বর্তমান এবং সংগতকারণে সর্বজনীন।
  3. ↑ Anam, Mahfuz, ed. (28 July 2015). "The voice of the deprived". The Daily Star. Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 1 Apr 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018. Among the contemporary fiction writers in Bangladesh, Sofa ranked first for his thought-provoking and contemplative writings.
  4. ↑ Khan, Salimullah (28 July 2012). "Ahmed Sofa Bishaye Salimullah Khan, Sathrang" আহমদ ছফা বিষয়ে সলিমুল্লাহ খান, সাতরং [Salimullah Khan on Ahmed Sofa in Seven Colors ATN Bangla TV program]. ATN Bangla (in Bengali). Dhaka: Asian Television Network. Retrieved 1 April 2018. Ahmed Sofa, I think, is the greatest thinker of our country. [at 2:33] Ahmed Sofa is the greatest Bengali Muslim writer after Mir Mosharraf Hossain and Kazi Nazrul Islam. [at 4:00] -[Salimullah Khan]
  5. ↑ Umar, Badruddin (2011) [Composed 1972]. "Bhumika" ভূমিকা [Introduction]. Sampratik Bibechana: Buddhibrittir Natun Bynyas সাম্প্রতিক বিবেচনা: বুদ্ধিবৃত্তির নতুন বিন্যাস [Reconsideration: A New Mode of Intellectualism] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Khan Brothers and Company. p. 46. ISBN 978-9844081376.
  6. ↑ Khan, Alamgir (16 December 2014). "Sofa's critique of Bangali Mussalmans". The Daily Observer. Dhaka: The Observer Ltd. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  7. ↑ Ibrahim, Ahmad (29 April 2017). "Ahmed Sofa In Posterity - Muslim Anxiety In A 'Muslim World'". The Daily Star. Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  8. ↑ Ekbal, Nikhat (2009). "Ahmed Sofa". Great Muslims of Undivided India. Delhi: Kalpaz Publications. p. 266. ISBN 9788178357560. Retrieved 2 April 2018. His Bangali Musalmaner Man is one of the most thought-provoking and much hailed books in Bangladesh.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Das, Subrata Kumar. "Ahmed Sofa: Kayekti Upanyaser Aloke" আহমদ ছফা: কয়েকটি উপন্যাসের আলোকে [Ahmed Sofa in the Light of His Novels]. Bangladeshi Novels (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  10. ↑ Karim, Lamia (28 July 2017). "A humanist for all seasons". New Age. Dhaka: Media New Age Limited. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  11. ↑ Khan, Salimullah (2013). Ahmed Sofa Sonjiboni আহমেদ ছফা সঞ্জীবনী [Ahmed Sofa Elixir]. Dhaka: Agamee Prakashani. pp. 284–302. ISBN 978-984-04-1585-4.
  12. ↑ Nasirullah, Sharif (10 August 2017). "Chalachchitra Pran Ek Parichalak" চলচ্চিত্র–প্রাণ এক পরিচালক [A Film Buff Director]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018. ১৯৮৭ সালের দিক। আহমদ ছফায় বুঁদ তরুণেরা। ছফা সেই সময়ের বোহেমিয়ান তরুণ শিল্পী-সাহিত্যিকদের নিয়ে আড্ডা দেন। বাংলাদেশে গবেষণা করতে আসা ক্যাথরিনও জড়িয়ে যান সে আড্ডায়। সেখানে পরিচয় তারেকের সঙ্গে।...তারেকের প্রথম ছবির সাবজেক্ট যেমন আহমদ ছফার আবিষ্কার, তেমনি ছবির সংসারের এই মানুষটিও ছফার আবিষ্কার। আহমদ ছফা তারেককে বলতেন, 'তোমাকে আমি ক্যাথরিন দিয়েছিলাম।'
  13. ↑ Ahmad, Reaz (28 July 2012). "Sofa's inspiration..." The Daily Star. Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  14. ↑ Ahmed, Humayun (2009). Ballpoint বলপয়েন্ট. Dhaka: Anyaprokash. p. 29. ISBN 978-984-868-516-7. ছফা ভাই ছিলেন আমার Mentor। এই ইংরেজি শব্দটির সঠিক বাংলা নেই। Mentor এমন গুরু যার প্রধান চেষ্টা শিষ্যকে পথ দেখিয়ে উঁচুতে তোলা। ছফা ভাই শুধু যে একা আমার মেন্টর ছিলেন তা না, অনেকেরই ছিলেন। [Sofa bhai was my mentor. Mentor has no Bengali equivalent. Mentors are those gurus who try their best to show their disciples the path to the pinnacle. Sofa bhai was not only my mentors but also many others' as well]
  15. ↑ Anwar, Nurul (2010). Sofamrita ছফামৃত [Sofa Ambrosia] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Khan Brothers and Company. p. 183. ISBN 978-984-408-171-0.
  16. ↑ Jahangir, Kamruzzaman (29 July 2011). "Manush Ahmed Sofa" মানুষ আহমদ ছফা [Ahmed Sofa as a Human]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). Dhaka: East West Media Group Limited. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Tasnim, Farzana (5 September 2017). "Ahmed Sofa: Lakho Banchiter Kanthaswar" আহমদ ছফা: লাখো বঞ্চিতের কণ্ঠস্বর [Ahmed Sofa: The Voice of Millions of Deprived]. Roar Bangla (in Bengali). Colombo: Roar Media PTE Ltd. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  18. ↑ Haseen, Shakina (2013). "Parishista: Ahmed Sofar Jibanpunji" পরিশিষ্ট: আহমদ ছফা জীবনপঞ্জি [Appendices: Important Events of Ahmed Sofa's Life]. In Anwar, Nurul (ed.). Ahmed Sofa Rachanabali আহমদ ছফা রচনাবলি [Ahmed Sofa's Collected Writings] (in Bengali). Vol. 8. Dhaka: Khan Brothers and Company. pp. 483–492. ISBN 978-984-408-126-0.
  19. ↑ Selina Hossain, Nurul Islam and Mobarak Hossain, ed. (2000). Bangla Academy Dictionary of Writers. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. pp. 22–23. ISBN 984-07-4052-0.
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