Legend in Bengali novels
Another cause of the popularity of Anowara was its perspicuity, straight and easy style of statement. On the other hand, Najibor Rahman was first and pioneer to introduce Persian, Urdu, and Arabic words in his writings in which could represent the Muslim-society in the pre-Nazrul period.
Before the publication, Najibor Rahman submitted the manuscript of Anowara to Dr Muhammad Shahidullah, Md Yakub Ali Chowdhury, Poet Mozammel Haq and famous philosopher and learned advocate of Calcutta High Court Babu Shoshodhor Roy M A B L. All of them highly appreciated and inspired him to publish it.
According to Poet Syed Ali Ahsan: “Another exceptional side of Anowara is that its hero Nurul Islam was a jute trader. Once jute was called the ‘golden fibre’ of our country and it was the main exportable crop. Once I have attended in an International Literary Conference which was held in Paris. A French novelist asked me, “Jute is a prime exportable item of your country and it is the basic element of your economic base. Then why we do not find any statement on jute in the novels of your country?” To answer the question I had to mention the reference of the hero of the novel Anowara of Najibor Rahman who has represented his hero as a jute trader.”
It is most remarkable that as a writer and novelist Najibor Rahman was fully alert and aware of his responsibility to represent Muslim sentiment along with the vital thought of all elements of social life, family concerns and love-affairs.
Over and above, it is most remarkable that he has illustrated the matter of love-affairs among or between the lovers very sophisticatedly for which his books could draw the amazing attention of the readers of all classes, even irrespective of Hindu-Muslim, educated and lower educated people and families.
After publication of first impression of Anowara, the renowned persons of that period expressed their deep and warm congratulations to its writer. Among them were: Girish Chandra Bose, principal of Calcutta Bangabashi College, Principal Kumudinikanto Banarji Bahadur, Kazi Fazlul Haq, Prof of Persi, Lahore Govt College, Md. Atayar Rahman, Prof Nripendrakumer Bondopadhyay, Prof Ponchanan Goshwami, Prof Krishno Chandra Bhottacharya of Rajshahi College, Okhoykumar Moitro and others. But with a great regret to mention that many of the learned people, even Honour’s and Master’s degree holders of the present time do not know about the novel Anowara and its writer Najibor Rahman Shahityarotno is unknown to them. Moreover, most College and Public Libraries (except the Central Public Library and Dhaka University Library) do not preserve the books of Najibor Rahman.
Thus Najibor Rahman and his literary works are being a past – buried into oblivion, which is a great regretful matter of the nation. Any history gets its base and stands on its past and the present make the base of the future. If the past is neglected, forgotten and denied or dishonoured, then the present will be of no worth and the future will become worthless. So we should not be ungrateful to the past and should not forget or neglect any kind of past achievements for the better sake of the present and future.
Life and works: Born on 22nd January, 1860 in the village of Chor Beltoil, Upozilla: Shahjadpur, Zilla: Shirajgonj. Died on 30th October, 1925 in the village of Hatikumrul, PS Ullapara, Zilla: Shirajgonj. His forefathers came from Iran. The name of his father was Zoenuddin and mother was Shonavan Bibi. His parents had five sons and one daughter and he was the third son of them. His nickname was Nilbor.
Professionally he was a Normal passed School and Madrasa teacher and served in many schools and madrasas. He was a dedicated teacher as well as a motivator of education. He led a simple life following rituals, culture and lifestyle in dress and behavior. Circumstantially he married for five times and in total he had to marry three sons and four daughters.
He was extra-ordinarily popular in his society and people would also love and respect him as a dedicated teacher. He was generally well-known as Nilbor Pondit. By his earnest effort, he could establish an honorable position in the society. He was an expert and efficient orator and he could put up the essence of his speeches to the audience with a skilled approach and technique. At all he was a symbol of exemplary sublime character of piousness, righteousness and unadulterated honesty and personality.
Literary works: the first phage: He wrote five articles: Pobitro Nidorshon, Musalmaner Shoptorotno, Tibbote Musalman ebong Tibbot Bashir Achar Bebohar, Purbosmrity- Qutubuddin Ibek(1901-05), Shahittya Proshongo 1904, Bilati Borjon Rohoshya 1905.
2nd phase: The 1st novel ‘Anowara’ 1914. 2. Hason-Gonga Bahomoni 1917. 3. Porinam 1918. 4. Premer Shomadhi 1919. 5. Goriber Meye 1923. 6. Meherunnisa 1923. 7. Namazer Fol. 8. Dunia Ar Chaina (5 short stories 1923). 9. Behester Fool. 10. Dunia Keno Chaina. 11. Romonir Behesht.
As a social worker he fought against the oppression of zaminders of the neighbouring society. He fought and established the right of slaughting cows during the time of Qurbani Eid. He was a Homoeopathaic practitioner and rendered free treatment to the poor. He served the helpless people as much as possible in any way.
Organizations and Academy initiated in the memory of Nojibor Rahman: Najibor Rahman Shahitya Smrity Songsod organized by Prof Md Motiur Rahman, 1997. Najibor Rahman Shahitya Rotno Academy formed on the 10th Nov. 2015. Prof Md Motiur Rahman, Chairman. Md Abdul Hannan, Vice-Chairman.n
Before the publication, Najibor Rahman submitted the manuscript of Anowara to Dr Muhammad Shahidullah, Md Yakub Ali Chowdhury, Poet Mozammel Haq and famous philosopher and learned advocate of Calcutta High Court Babu Shoshodhor Roy M A B L. All of them highly appreciated and inspired him to publish it.
According to Poet Syed Ali Ahsan: “Another exceptional side of Anowara is that its hero Nurul Islam was a jute trader. Once jute was called the ‘golden fibre’ of our country and it was the main exportable crop. Once I have attended in an International Literary Conference which was held in Paris. A French novelist asked me, “Jute is a prime exportable item of your country and it is the basic element of your economic base. Then why we do not find any statement on jute in the novels of your country?” To answer the question I had to mention the reference of the hero of the novel Anowara of Najibor Rahman who has represented his hero as a jute trader.”
It is most remarkable that as a writer and novelist Najibor Rahman was fully alert and aware of his responsibility to represent Muslim sentiment along with the vital thought of all elements of social life, family concerns and love-affairs.
Over and above, it is most remarkable that he has illustrated the matter of love-affairs among or between the lovers very sophisticatedly for which his books could draw the amazing attention of the readers of all classes, even irrespective of Hindu-Muslim, educated and lower educated people and families.
After publication of first impression of Anowara, the renowned persons of that period expressed their deep and warm congratulations to its writer. Among them were: Girish Chandra Bose, principal of Calcutta Bangabashi College, Principal Kumudinikanto Banarji Bahadur, Kazi Fazlul Haq, Prof of Persi, Lahore Govt College, Md. Atayar Rahman, Prof Nripendrakumer Bondopadhyay, Prof Ponchanan Goshwami, Prof Krishno Chandra Bhottacharya of Rajshahi College, Okhoykumar Moitro and others. But with a great regret to mention that many of the learned people, even Honour’s and Master’s degree holders of the present time do not know about the novel Anowara and its writer Najibor Rahman Shahityarotno is unknown to them. Moreover, most College and Public Libraries (except the Central Public Library and Dhaka University Library) do not preserve the books of Najibor Rahman.
Thus Najibor Rahman and his literary works are being a past – buried into oblivion, which is a great regretful matter of the nation. Any history gets its base and stands on its past and the present make the base of the future. If the past is neglected, forgotten and denied or dishonoured, then the present will be of no worth and the future will become worthless. So we should not be ungrateful to the past and should not forget or neglect any kind of past achievements for the better sake of the present and future.
Life and works: Born on 22nd January, 1860 in the village of Chor Beltoil, Upozilla: Shahjadpur, Zilla: Shirajgonj. Died on 30th October, 1925 in the village of Hatikumrul, PS Ullapara, Zilla: Shirajgonj. His forefathers came from Iran. The name of his father was Zoenuddin and mother was Shonavan Bibi. His parents had five sons and one daughter and he was the third son of them. His nickname was Nilbor.
Professionally he was a Normal passed School and Madrasa teacher and served in many schools and madrasas. He was a dedicated teacher as well as a motivator of education. He led a simple life following rituals, culture and lifestyle in dress and behavior. Circumstantially he married for five times and in total he had to marry three sons and four daughters.
He was extra-ordinarily popular in his society and people would also love and respect him as a dedicated teacher. He was generally well-known as Nilbor Pondit. By his earnest effort, he could establish an honorable position in the society. He was an expert and efficient orator and he could put up the essence of his speeches to the audience with a skilled approach and technique. At all he was a symbol of exemplary sublime character of piousness, righteousness and unadulterated honesty and personality.
Literary works: the first phage: He wrote five articles: Pobitro Nidorshon, Musalmaner Shoptorotno, Tibbote Musalman ebong Tibbot Bashir Achar Bebohar, Purbosmrity- Qutubuddin Ibek(1901-05), Shahittya Proshongo 1904, Bilati Borjon Rohoshya 1905.
2nd phase: The 1st novel ‘Anowara’ 1914. 2. Hason-Gonga Bahomoni 1917. 3. Porinam 1918. 4. Premer Shomadhi 1919. 5. Goriber Meye 1923. 6. Meherunnisa 1923. 7. Namazer Fol. 8. Dunia Ar Chaina (5 short stories 1923). 9. Behester Fool. 10. Dunia Keno Chaina. 11. Romonir Behesht.
As a social worker he fought against the oppression of zaminders of the neighbouring society. He fought and established the right of slaughting cows during the time of Qurbani Eid. He was a Homoeopathaic practitioner and rendered free treatment to the poor. He served the helpless people as much as possible in any way.
Organizations and Academy initiated in the memory of Nojibor Rahman: Najibor Rahman Shahitya Smrity Songsod organized by Prof Md Motiur Rahman, 1997. Najibor Rahman Shahitya Rotno Academy formed on the 10th Nov. 2015. Prof Md Motiur Rahman, Chairman. Md Abdul Hannan, Vice-Chairman.n
(The writer is Columnist, Ex-Principal
of Bhulua College, Noakhali)