A Creative's Solitude
Photos: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo
People familiar with Bangla literature have know this place as one of the main hubs for intellectuals. The ongoing adda (rendezvous) of famous poets such as Al Mahmud, Hasan Hafizur Rahman, Sayed Atiqullah, AllauddinAl Azad, Abu Zafar Obaydullah, Sanjib Dutta, Nirmolendu Gun, Abul Hasan, Helal Hafiz, and many more, popularised the joint as the den of the creatives. The establishment is considered a sacred ground for poets and writers even today. Located on Shrish Das Lane, Bangla Bazar; Beauty Boarding is still an integral part of Bangladeshi history.
Established in 1949, Beauty Boarding opened for business in the hands of Praladh Saha, the owner of the motel, who was murdered in 1971 with 15 other staff members of Beauty Boarding by the Pakistani Army. "Back in the 50's, Bangla Bazar was the hub of publishing houses. As a result, Beauty Boarding drew a lot of young writers and poets, as it was one of the only decent places to dine," says Tarak Saha, son of Praladh Saha and one of the current owners of Beauty Boarding. The first persons to establish Beauty Boarding as an intellectual zone was Samsur Rahman and Shahid Quadri. The two famous poets used to be regulars at Beauty Boarding. "They were like a trade mark for us, and I remember my father used say that if they didn't show up it meant bad business," says Tarak Saha.
A restaurant used to be attached to the motel. "The cafe was famous for its cutlet and chops. The cook used to prepare the meal after lunch and we would see the food vanish in less than two hours," says Tarak Saha. The writers and poets used to gather in the restaurant in late afternoons and addas would go on till nine or ten at night. The restaurant was later destroyed in the 1971 war.
The yellow building still resides at the heart of Bangla Bazar, and is still popular amongst lodgers because of its friendly environment and reasonable prices. "Though the place is not packed with writers and poets as it used to be, people still come here to cherish the history of this place. There is also a yearly event which takes place at Beauty Boarding, organised by the Beauty Boarding alumni, who call themselves 'Beauty-ans'," says Tarak Saha.
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