Window to a Wordsmith

Last year on this very day, Bangladesh lost one its most influential writers and cultural personalities-- Syed Shamsul Haque. His work has been critically lauded since his very first publication. A journalist, writer, lover of words and the performing arts, he was a well respected human being too.  The Daily Star talked to eminent cultural personalities whose lives have been touched by the litterateur. Excerpts:

Ataur Rahman, reputed thespian, director

Syed Shamsul Haq will forever remain a North Star in our sky. His soul was embedded in the soil of Bangladesh and he will always be remembered for his spirited creative work. I pay tribute to this immortal soul by quoting from Rabindranath Tagore. “Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life.”

Sara Zaker, noted actor

E boro darun baaji, tare koi boro baajikor,

je tar rumal naare, poraner gohin bhitor

“What a beautiful use of words. Haque bhai was well ahead of his times both in his outlook and writings. I remember him as a disciplined human being throughout his life, so much so, that even when he knew he would not live much longer, he would keep up a brave front. When we visited him, he never let on that he was ill.  I have many a fond memories of  him, especially the staging of our plays at Nagorik Natya Sampradaya. He would always encourage us when we were younger.

Suborna Mustafa, noted actor

“Haq chacha and my father were great friends, so I've known him all my life. To say that he was a good writer would be an understatement. He was a prolific writer but he also had a modern world view. He stood apart from everyone. One of my fondest memories of him is when I shared the stage with him at Anando Alo's 12th anniversary event. The most interesting fact is that my first ever television appearance for “Ekti Mukhosh, Ekti Mombati” was based on a screenplay written by him. Haque chacha, even though gone from the physical world, will always remain with us, through his exceptional work and the legacy he left behind.”