The New Nation - Internet Edition

Takir Hossain

Professor Abu Zafor was born at Murshidabad District of West Bengal in 1937. He passed Honours in Bangla from Dhaka University in 1958 and completed his MA in 1960. He first joined B L College as lecturer. After that he shifted to Jaganath College and worked there for more than a decade. After retirement from teaching, he served in many important posts in the Education Ministry. He is one of our notable Bangla litterateurs, whose name is categorised with those who, though they wrote the least, shone the best. His four outstanding books are Anwishta Jiban (A collection of essays), Shahitte Samaj Bhabna, Hasan Azizul Huquer Galper Samajbastobata (Hasan Azizul Huque: A Critical Perspective) and Rabindranather Rajnoitik Chintadhara (Political Thought Process of Rabindranath).

Professor Abu Zafor, was a brilliant student, who secured position in all examinations in his life, and authored a large number of very original research papers in national and international journals. He also contributed regularly to a number of daily newspapers in our country. Professor Abu Zafor is also a prolific author, essayist and distinguished government high official. He attended several international conferences and seminars.

Poet Mahadev Saha comments, "Abu Zafor, highly educated and learned, was, therefore, not surprisingly a progressive and liberal minded personage. His proficient and thought-provoking writing has enlightened our literary world. It is befitting, consequently, that as a human being, he was very well-behaved."

Once renowned sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan was very intimate with Professor Abu Zafor. When Hamiduzzaman first organised his solo sculpture exhibition at Fine Arts; Abu Zafor, despite being an introvert, enthusiastically visited the exhibition, his shyness being conquered by his passion for art. Professor Abu Zafor was very close to Hamiduzzaman Khan also. Hamiduzzaman expressed his feelings this, "Abu Zafor was individualistic and shied away from the atmosphere of humans occupied with fame, money, wealth and domination.

When the nation was faced by any critical situation, he came forward and helped us with his intelligence and advice. We always remember him with great respect. At present, we greatly miss his absence."

Abu Zafor is known for his iconoclastic views that brought the ugly umbrage of religious fundamentalists. He is known for speaking his mind. His books are popular and widely read.

Two books were published from Bangla Academy. But the books have not found the popular market, being more for the readers who are intellectually sound. These category of readers always like to read his works. Zafor was never seen to be hankering after name and fame. As one of our well-known essayist and critic, Abu Zafor always handled his work with a much meticulous thought and plan. In every essay, he articulates innovation in both form and content. Without novelty in thought and contemplation, in technique and narration he never ventured for an essay. With brilliant exposition, Abu Zafor has enriched our literature. It is obvious that Abu Zafor has selected such personalities, who are very close to our mind and soul.

It is true that research-oriented works are very limited in our literary field compared to other kinds of writings; but this is a truth that holds the world over. That is why though lots of novels, fiction works and even travelogues are seen in the book fair, the research-oriented books are rare. Abu Zafor was definitely a contemplative and admirable essayist in our country. From the beginning of his career, his illuminated writings added a new dimension to our literature. He died in 1999.

Last 22nd February, we observed his 9th death anniversary. It is very unfortunate indeed that only his keen adherents paid homage to this soil of the son, at the national level there was little or nothing done to observe the occasion.