Abu Jafar Shamsuddin (1911-1988) journalist and writer, was born on March 12 in 1911 in the village of Dakshinbagh in Gazipur, son of Mohammad Akkas Ali Bhuiyan. His grandfather, Nadiruzzaman Bhuiyan, a disciple of Moulana Karamat Ali Jaunpuri, was a local representative. After initial education in his village pathshala, he passed the Junior Madrassah examination in 1924 and the High Madrassah examination in 1929. He subsequently enrolled at Dhaka Intermediate College but did not complete his studies.
Yesterday (August 24) marked the 28th death anniversary of the multitalented personality.
Abu Jafar was a progressive writer who believed in secularism, Bengali nationalism and socialism. At different times he was associated with many social and cultural organisations such as the Bangladesh Peace Council, Bangladesh Humanist Society, Executive Council of Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Afro-Asian Writers' Union and Bangladesh-India Friendship Association.
Abu Jafar was initially a member of the Radical Democratic Party of Manabendra Nath Roy. He then joined the newly established National Awami Party (NAP, 1957) of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and was elected a member of its Provincial Organising Committee. He was the convenor of the historical Kagmari Summit Preparation Committee. He actively took part in the language movement. Later on, he performed many important duties as a founder member of the Bangabandhu Council.
Abu Jafar was essentially a novelist. However, he also wrote in other genres, including short story, essay, biography, autobiography, etc. Among his notable works are the novels Parityakta Svami "(1947)", "Bhawaler Upakhyan" (1963), "Padma Meghna Jamuna" (1974), "Sangkar Sangkirtan" (1980), "Deyal" (1986). His collections of short stories include "Jiban" (1948), "Rajen Thakurer Tirthayatra" (1978), "Lyangdi" (1984).
In recognition of his social and literary contributions, Abu Jafar was awarded the Bangla Academy Award (1968), Samakal Literary Award (1979), Ekushey Padak (1983), Shaheed Nutan Chandra Singh Smriti Padak (1986), Muktadhara Literary Award (1986) and Philips Award (posthumously in 1988). Abu Jafar Shamsuddin died on August 24 in 1988 and was buried in his own village.
