Recalling Andre Malraux, an intellectual giant of the last century
Mohammad Amjad Hossain :
I had the privilege of meeting Andre Marlaux, a distinguished philosopher, novelist and statesman when he paid a visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Bangladesh government from April 21 to 24 in 1973 who was fearless freedom fighter and advocate for the oppressed people around the world. In fact, he supported our war of independence who wrote to Indian Leader Jaya Prakash Narayan, a Ghandite and revolutionary leader on the occasion of International conference on Bangladesh held in New Delhi from 16 t0 20 September in 1971. Andre Marlaux said in the letter that what matters in the military organization of Bangladesh either will accept pitched battles with Pakistan and will be wiped out or it will organize its Gorillas and Pakistan will be defeated. Andre Malraux also wrote to President Nixon and urged him to intervene the genocide committed by Pakistan in Bangladesh.
An undaunted freedom fighter and indomitable personality who advocated the cause of downtrodden people all over the world was on a visit to Bangladesh from 21 to 24 April in 1973 at the invitation of the Government of Bangladesh. Immediately after Bangladesh achieved independence the Government of Bangladesh decided to bestow honorary citizenship of Bangladesh upon Andre Malraux to show respect for his outstanding contribution to the cause of Bangladesh. In fact, he was honoured by Banghabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, then Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The distinguished guest was also received by the President Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury who was in praise of Malraux’s humanitarian role. Justice Chowdhury said his love for humanity and cherished ideals never identified any geographical barrier and his bold voice was heard across the world where human dignity was in danger.
Incidentally this writer had the opportunity to travel with Andre Malraux in a helicopter to the historic city of Chittagong on 21 April to attend a civic reception in honor of Andrey Malraux in Chittagong University presided over by Vice -chancellor Professor Abul Fazal where he inaugurated an art gallery headed by French Speaking Professor Rashid Chowdhury as well. Andre Malraux had a cruise in Kaptai Lake on a house boat of A. K. Khan and lunch as well on the boat. Malraux enjoyed the cruise in the lake and admired its beauty. On his return from Chittagong Andre Malraux accompanied by this writer visited Suhrawardy hospital to talk with wounded freedom fighters. Andre Malraux had become emotional while talking to them.
Andre Malraux was conferred Doctorate of literature by the University of Rajshahi on April 22. In an emotional voice Andre Malraux said ” On your own tombs there are perhaps souvenirs of the words ‘Justice and liberty’ with which the Generals of the revolution had put Europe to flames.’
It would be unfair if I did not mention that Dr. Kamal Hossain, Minister of Foreign affairs also offered lunch in honour of Andre Malraux at his official residence where the noted poet and Civil servant Abu Zafar Obaidullah was present.
It seems interesting that French Ambassador to Bangladesh Madam Renee Veyeet invited me and my wife for dinner on 22 October in 1996 since I have encounter with Andre Malraux. French Ambassador in fact requested me to give ten more lists of the guests. To honour her request I have offered ten more names of Rukanuzzaman Khan, the founder of central Kachi-kachar Mela and feature editor of Daily Ittefaq, Khondkar Ibrahim Khaled, a noted banker, Kalidash Karmakar celebrated artist who was awarded ekushey Padak and Independence Padak and was awarded fellowship from Holland and France and Professor Hashem Khan of the Art College of Dhaka University, who was awarded Ekushey Padak, Habibur Rahman, Proprietor of Academic Publisher and Md. Shahjahan one of the founders of North-South university in Dhaka. It seems interesting to note that Madam Ambassador herself served food on my table which in fact reflected how Andre Malraux was held in France in particular.
Andre Malraux had served twice as cabinet minister during the tenure of President General De Gaulle who was a trusted lieutenant of General De Gaulle. During his long charismatic chequered career Andey Malraux was associated himself with the fields of literature, war, politics, cinematography and came in contact with the noted personalities of the world like Gorki, Einstein, Mao Tse Tung, Leopold Sedar Senghor and Pandit Nehru. Incidentally this writer was fortunate to receive a book Nocturnes written by Leopold Sedar Senghor during his visit to Bangladesh from 26-29 May in 1974.
The Government of Bangladesh mourned at the death of Andre Malraux on November 23 in 1976 at the age of 73 by saying that “the death of Monsieur Andre Malraux removed from the world scene a literary giant, a humanist par excellence who championed and fought for the cause of the oppressed. We in Bangladesh will always cherish his memory, his clarion all in defence of our war of independence was heard around the globe. I myself salute the memory of a great leader of the world.
(The writer is a retired diplomat and former President of Nova Toastmaster International club of America. He writes from Falls Church, Virginia).
