In Memoriam Hassan Azizul Haque

Among those who have quietly yet profoundly illuminated Bengali literature, Hassan Azizul Haque stands as a towering figure. He was a fearless narrator of human struggle and a voice for the silent anguish of society’s marginalised. Emerging in the 1960s, this eminent short-story writer and literary figure achieved a distinctive stature in Bengali literature through his cohesive prose, dispassionate perspective, and poignant narrative style.

The sorrows, hunger, love, anger, and existential crises of people immersed in the struggle of life form the central themes of his stories and novels. The arid landscapes of Rarh Bengal, its parched soil, and the stark existence of impoverished communities leave a profound imprint on the backdrop of many of his works. His literature is not an exercise in ornamental beauty; it is a candid document of life’s harsh realities.

Hassan Azizul Haque was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1970. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to literature and culture, the Government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the Ekushey Padak in 1999. Additionally, in 2012, Assam University in India awarded him an honorary D.Litt degree.

He was born on 2 February 1939 in Jabgram, Burdwan district, West Bengal, into a distinguished and closely-knit family. His father was Mohammad Doya Bakhsh and his mother Johra Khatun. His wife was Shamsun Nahar Begum. He spent the greater part of his life in Rajshahi, a city that became the principal centre for his intellectual, teaching, and literary endeavours.

An outstanding student, he graduated with honours in philosophy from Rajshahi Government College in 1958 and completed his postgraduate degree at the same institution in 1960. The logical rigor and humanist outlook of his philosophical training are clearly reflected in his literary thought.

From 1960 to 1973, he taught at Rajshahi City College, Sirajganj College, Khulna Girls’ College, and Daulatpur Brojolal College. In 1973, he joined the Department of Philosophy at Rajshahi University as a professor and continued teaching there for 31 years until 2004. As an educator, he was wise, sensitive, and student-friendly.

During his college years at Rajshahi, his first piece was published in the magazine Charpata, edited by the young Misbahul Azim. Although the topic—the significance of Rajshahi’s mangoes—was simple, it revealed early hints of his narrative voice and literary perspective.

                                                                       "The novelist Hasan Azizul Haque shares an intimate moment with the Khoborwala editor."

While in Khulna, his literary creativity found its true outlet in the progressive cultural organisation Sondipon. In the early 1960s, this group was founded by young, committed writers such as Nazim Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Jaharlal Roy, Sadhan Sarkar, and Khaled Rashid. By this time, Hassan Azizul Haque was already a well-known name in literary circles.

His first collection of stories, Somudrer Shopno, Shiter Arannya, opens with the story Shokun, in which he skillfully exposes the usurious moneylender and the underbelly of rural society. Over nearly half a century of literary activity, he produced innumerable memorable stories, including Shokun, Trishna, Uttorbosonte, Bimorsho Ratri, Prothom Prohor, Porobashi, Amrittu, Ajeebon, Jibon Ghoshe Agun, Khacha, Bhusoner Ekdin, Phera, Mon Tar Shankhini, Matir Talay Mati, Shonit Setu, Ghorgerosthi, Sorol Hingsha, Khonon, Samukhe Shantir Parabar, Achin Pakhi, Ma-Meyer Sonsar, Bidhobader Kotha, Sara Dupur, and Keu Asheni, among others.

His 2006 novel Agunpakhi stands as a singular contribution to Bengali literature. Addressing the Partition, women’s struggles, and the silent anguish of history, the novel was acclaimed as the year’s best and created a wide stir among readers.

On 15 November 2021, this literary giant passed away at his residence in Rajshahi. Yet literature did not end with his death—the infinite narratives of human struggle that he bequeathed will continue to illuminate Bengali literature for generations.

With profound respect.