Ahmed Sofa

Ahmed Sofa
Sofa in 1995
Sofa in 1995
Native name
আহমদ ছফা
Born(1943-06-30)30 June 1943
Gachbaria, Chittagong, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died28 July 2001(2001-07-28) (aged 58)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Resting placeMartyred Intellectuals' Graveyard
OccupationWriter
NationalityBangladeshi
Alma materUniversity of Dhaka
Period1967–2001
GenreFiction, non-fiction, short stories, poetry

Ahmed Sofa (Bengali: আহমদ ছফা, pronounced [aɦmɔd sɔfa]; 30 June 1943 – 28 July 2001) was a Bangladeshi writer, thinker, novelist, poet, philosopher and public intellectual.[1] Sofa is considered by many, including National Professor Abdur Razzaq and Salimullah Khan, to be the most important Bengali Muslim writer after Mir Mosharraf Hossain and Kazi Nazrul Islam.[1][2][3][4][5] A writer by occupation, Sofa wrote 18 non-fiction books, 8 novels, 4 collections of poems, 2 collections of short stories, and several books in other genres.

Sofa's Bangali Musalmaner Man (The Mind of the Bengali Muslims, 1981) is a highly acclaimed critical survey of the formation of Bengali Muslims' identity, causes of their backwardness, their development as a community, and their intellectual progress.[6][7][8] Anisuzzaman and many others consider Sofa's Bangali Musalmaner Man one of the greatest non-fiction books written in the Bengali language.[9][10][11] In Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas (A New Mode of Intellectualism, 1972), Sofa mapped the intellectual landscape of Bangladesh, delineating general opportunistic tendencies of Bangladeshi intellectuals, their collaboration with the Establishment, and their failure to bring any real material change in postcolonial Bangladesh.[12][13]

Characterized by “a freshness of language”,[14] and "constant experimentation, and novelty" of subject matter and narration, his fictions portrayed Bangladesh with all its social, spiritual and political nuances.[15][16] Critics acclaimed his intricate characterization depicting psychological and sociocultural subtleties with realism.[17] Abul Fazal, and many others[18] considered Sofa's Omkar (The Om, 1975) the best literary expression of the liberation movement of Bangladesh.[19][20] Gabhi Bittanta (A Tale of a Cow, 1995), a novel satirizing university teachers involved in party politics and corruption is among the best satires in Bengali literature.[21][22][23] Pushpa Briksa ebang Bihanga Puran (Tales of Flowers, Trees, and Birds, 1996) recounts Sofa's spiritual attachments with birds, plants and trees reflecting his profound biophilia and ecoconsciousness.[22][24][25] Some of his long poems include Ekti Prabeen Bater Kache Prarthana (Prayer to an Ancient Banayan Tree, 1977), and Basti Ujar (The Eviction of the Shanti Town Dwellers), etc.[26][27]

Sofa and his works guided, inspired, influenced, and continue to inspire and influence many writers, filmmakers, painters, artists, and intellectuals including Humayun Ahmed,[28] Muhammed Zafar Iqbal,[29][30] Tareque Masud,[31][32] Farhad Mazhar, Salimullah Khan,[33] etc.[34][35] He remains one of the most powerful intellectual influences in Bangladesh through his works and legacy.[19][36] For a bohemian lifestyle, and outspoken nature, Sofa was a controversial figure during his lifetime.[37] He was called rebel, mad, insolent, devoid of respect for authority, and an overly uncompromising figure among the intellectuals.[38] Never to be co-opted by the establishment,[15][19][24] Sofa rejected Lekhak Shibir Award in 1975, and Sa'dat Ali Akanda Award offered by Bangla Academy in 1993.[14][39] He was awarded Ekushe Padak posthumously by the Government of Bangladesh in 2002.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Khan, Salimullah (2013) [First published 2010]. "Name Ase Name Jay" নামে আসে নামে যায় [Name Matters]. Ahmed Sofa Sonjiboni আহমদ ছফা সঞ্জীবনী [Ahmed Sofa Elixir] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Agamee Prakashani. p. 21. ISBN 978-984-04-1585-4.
  2. ^ Anwar, Nurul (2010). "Bhumika" ভূমিকা [Introduction]. Sofamrita ছফামৃত [Sofa Ambrosia] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Khan Brothers and Company. p. 1. ISBN 978-984-408-171-0.
  3. ^ Amin, Dr. Mohammad (17 March 2017). "Ahmed Sofa:Bangla Sahityer Anabadya Rupakar" আহমদ ছফা: বাংলা সাহিত্যের অনবদ্য রূপকার [Ahmed Sofa: The Impeccable Pioneer of Bengali Literature]. The Daily Sangram (in Bengali). Dhaka: Bangladesh Publications Ltd. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018. বাংলা সাহিত্যে এ পর্যন্ত যত প্রাবন্ধিক, লেখক এবং সাহিত্যিক জন্মগ্রহণ করেছেন তন্মধ্যে আহমদ ছফাই সবচেয়ে সাহসী, বুদ্ধিমান, স্বতঃস্ফূর্ত, নির্লোভ, ঋদ্ধ, কুশলী, বহুমুখী, সাধারণ এবং তেজময়। [So far among all writers and intellectuals born in Bengali, Sofa is the most brilliant, brave, spontaneous, selfless, multidimensional, extraordinary and energetic..]... তাঁর প্রবন্ধে গবেষণার ঐকান্তিকতা, ইতিহাসের নিবিড়তা, কাব্যের প্রাণবন্ততা, উপন্যাসের বিমূর্ততা আর নাটকের পরিণতি ত্রিকালদর্শীর মতো চিরন্তন, সতত বর্তমান এবং সংগতকারণে সর্বজনীন।
  4. ^ Anam, Mahfuz, ed. (28 July 2015). "The voice of the deprived". The Daily Star. Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018. Among the contemporary fiction writers in Bangladesh, Sofa ranked first for his thought-provoking and contemplative writings.
  5. ^ Khan, Salimullah (28 July 2012). "Ahmed Sofa Bishaye Salimullah Khan, Sathrang" আহমদ ছফা বিষয়ে সলিমুল্লাহ খান, সাতরং [Salimullah Khan on Ahmed Sofa in Seven Colors ATN Bangla TV program]. ATN Bangla (in Bengali). Dhaka. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2018. Ahmed Sofa, I think, is the greatest thinker of our country. [at 2:33] Ahmed Sofa is the greatest Bengali Muslim writer after Mir Mosharraf Hossain and Kazi Nazrul Islam. [at 4:00] -[Salimullah Khan]
  6. ^ Kabir, Ahmad (2012). "Sofa, Ahmed". In Islam, Sirajul (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (2nd ed.). Dhaka: Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  7. ^ Khan, Alamgir (16 December 2014). "Sofa's critique of Bangali Mussalmans". The Daily Observer. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  8. ^ Ibrahim, Ahmad (29 April 2017). "Ahmed Sofa In Posterity – Muslim Anxiety In A 'Muslim World'". The Daily Star. Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  9. ^ Rahman, Muhammad Habibur (2016) [First published 1985; Revised 2008]. Gangaridai Theke Bangladesh গঙ্গাঋদ্ধি থেকে বাংলাদেশ [From Gangaridai to Bangladesh] (in Bengali) (Revised ed.). Dhaka: Bangla Academy. p. 220. ISBN 978-984-07-5479-3.
  10. ^ Ekbal, Nikhat (2009). "Ahmed Sofa". Great Muslims of Undivided India. Delhi: Kalpaz Publications. p. 266. ISBN 978-81-7835-756-0. Retrieved 2 April 2018. His Bangali Musalmaner Man is one of the most thought-provoking and much hailed books in Bangladesh.
  11. ^ Khan, Salimullah (December 2013). "Ahmed Sofar Sadhana" আহমদ ছফার সাধনা [Ahmed Sofa's Efforts]. Ahmed Sofa Sonjiboni আহমেদ ছফা সঞ্জীবনী [Ahmed Sofa Elixir] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Agamee Prakashani. p. 39. ISBN 978-984-04-1585-4.
  12. ^ Umar, Badruddin (2011) [1972]. "Bhumika" ভূমিকা [Introduction]. Sampratik Bibechana: Buddhibrittir Natun Bynyas সাম্প্রতিক বিবেচনা: বুদ্ধিবৃত্তির নতুন বিন্যাস [Reconsideration: A New Mode of Intellectualism] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Khan Brothers and Company. p. 46. ISBN 978-984-408-137-6.
  13. ^ Talukdar, Zakir (15 August 2013). "Ahmed Sofa Jakhan Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas Kamana Karen" আহমদ ছফা যখন বুদ্ধিবৃত্তির নতুন বিন্যাস কামনা করেন [When Ahmed Sofa Desires a New Mode of Intellectual]. Sampratik Deshkal (in Bengali). Dhaka. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  14. ^ a b Selina Hossain, Nurul Islam and Mobarak Hossain, ed. (2000). Bangla Academy Dictionary of Writers. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. pp. 22–23. ISBN 978-984-07-4052-9.
  15. ^ a b Ekbal, Nikhat (2009). "Ahmed Sofa". Great Muslims of Undivided India. Delhi: Kalpaz Publications. pp. 265–269. ISBN 978-81-7835-756-0. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  16. ^ Hannan, Sudipta (2017). Ahmed Sofar Upanyas: Bangladesher Udbhab ebang Bikasher Byakaran আহমদ ছফার উপন্যাস : বাংলাদেশের উদ্ভব এবং বিকাশের ব্যাকরণ [Ahmed Sofa's Novels: The Grammar of Bangladesh's Emergence and Development] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Puthinilay Prakashani. pp. 9–20. ISBN 978-984-921243-0.
  17. ^ Elias, Akhtaruzzaman (2013) [Composed 1995]. "Ahmed Sofar Upanyas" আহমদ ছফার উপন্যাস [Ahmed Sofa's Novels]. In Elias, Khalekuzzaman (ed.). Akhtaruzzaman Elias Rachanasamgra আখতারুজ্জামান ইলিয়াস রচনাসমগ্র ৩ [Collected Writings of Akhtaruzzaman Elias] (in Bengali). Vol. 3. Dhaka: Mowla Brothers. pp. 411–416. ISBN 978-984-410-363-4.
  18. ^ Khorshed, Alam (10 August 2001). "Ahmed Sofa: The death of an iconoclast". Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018. In fiction he has penned such immortal story as 'Ongkaar', which till today remains the best literary expression of our great language movement.
  19. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference SKenan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ "Gabhi Bittranto: Timely Review of a Satire". New Age. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  22. ^ a b Das, Subrata Kumar. "Ahmed Sofa: Kayekti Upanyaser Aloke" আহমদ ছফা: কয়েকটি উপন্যাসের আলোকে [Ahmed Sofa in the Light of His Novels]. Bangladeshi Novels (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  23. ^ "Ahmed Sofa's 'Gabhi Bittanto' : A Timeless Political Allegory". Daily Sun. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  24. ^ a b Karim, Lamia (28 July 2017). "A humanist for all seasons". New Age. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  25. ^ Khan, Salimullah (2013). Ahmed Sofa Sonjiboni আহমেদ ছফা সঞ্জীবনী [Ahmed Sofa Elixir]. Dhaka: Agamee Prakashani. pp. 284–302. ISBN 978-984-04-1585-4.
  26. ^ Sofa, Ahmed (July 2013). Anwar, Nurul (ed.). Ahmed Sofa Rachanabali আহমদ ছফা রচনাবলি [Collected Writings of Ahmed Sofa] (in Bengali). Vol. 6. Dhaka: Khan Brothers and Company. ISBN 978-984-408-128-4.
  27. ^ Cite error: The named reference gaze was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  28. ^ Ahmed, Humayun (2009). Ballpoint বলপয়েন্ট. Dhaka: Anyaprokash. p. 29. ISBN 978-984-8685-16-7. ছফা ভাই ছিলেন আমার Mentor। এই ইংরেজি শব্দটির সঠিক বাংলা নেই। Mentor এমন গুরু যার প্রধান চেষ্টা শিষ্যকে পথ দেখিয়ে উঁচুতে তোলা। ছফা ভাই শুধু যে একা আমার মেন্টর ছিলেন তা না, অনেকেরই ছিলেন। [Sofa bhai was my mentor. Mentor has no Bengali equivalent. Mentors are those gurus who try their best to show their disciples the path to the pinnacle. Sofa bhai was not only my mentors but also many others' as well]
  29. ^ Khan, Siddikur Rahman (27 June 2014). "Ahmed Sofa: Bishwabidyalyer Atma" আহমদ ছফার 'বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের আত্মা' [Ahmed Sofa: The Soul of the University]. The Daily Ittefaq. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  30. ^ Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  31. ^ Masud, Catherine (6 December 2017). "Tareque To Tomar Preme Parheche" 'তারেক তো তোমার প্রেমে পড়েছে' [Tareque Has Fallen in Love with You]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018. ছফা ভাই ছিলেন তারেকের 'গুরু'। ছফা ভাই তাকে বলেছিলেন, 'আমেরিকা থেকে একটা মেয়ে আসছে, দেখো, সে হয়তো তোমাকে সাহায্য করতে পারে।'
  32. ^ Nasirullah, Sharif (10 August 2017). "Chalachchitra Pran Ek Parichalak" চলচ্চিত্র–প্রাণ এক পরিচালক [A Film Buff Director]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018. ১৯৮৭ সালের দিক। আহমদ ছফায় বুঁদ তরুণেরা। ছফা সেই সময়ের বোহেমিয়ান তরুণ শিল্পী-সাহিত্যিকদের নিয়ে আড্ডা দেন। বাংলাদেশে গবেষণা করতে আসা ক্যাথরিনও জড়িয়ে যান সে আড্ডায়। সেখানে পরিচয় তারেকের সঙ্গে।...তারেকের প্রথম ছবির সাবজেক্ট যেমন আহমদ ছফার আবিষ্কার, তেমনি ছবির সংসারের এই মানুষটিও ছফার আবিষ্কার। আহমদ ছফা তারেককে বলতেন, 'তোমাকে আমি ক্যাথরিন দিয়েছিলাম।'
  33. ^ Khan, Salimullah (15 August 2011). "Amar Shikshak Tareque Masud" আমার শিক্ষক তারেক মাসুদ [My Teacher Tareque Masud]. arts.bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Dhaka. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018. যৌবনের প্রারম্ভে আমরা দুইজনেই আহমদ ছফার পদতলে বসিয়া প্রজ্ঞা ভিক্ষা করিয়াছি।
  34. ^ Ahmad, Reaz (28 July 2012). "Sofa's inspiration..." The Daily Star. Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  35. ^ Azam, Mohammad (15 September 2017). "Ahmed Sofar Prashna O Anusandhan" আহমদ ছফার প্রশ্ন ও অনুসন্ধান [Ahmed Sofa's Inquiries and Investigations]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Dhaka: Transcom Group. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  36. ^ Mazhar, Farhad (1 July 2010) [First Published 2007 in Samakal's weekly special "Kaler Kheya"]. "Ahmed Sofa ebang Byaktir Muktitattwa" আহমদ ছফা এবং ব্যক্তির মুক্তিতত্ত্ব [Ahmed Sofa and the Theory of Individual Emancipation]. Chintaa (চিন্তা) [Thoughts] (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018. সে [ছফা] গাছবাড়িয়া গ্রাম থেকে আসা অতি সাধারণ একটি গ্রামের ছেলে। কিন্তু সাহিত্য, সংস্কৃতি, চিন্তা ও রাজনীতির জগতে সে যে উথালপাথাল ধাক্কা দিয়ে গেল তার ফলে বাংলাদেশের সাহিত্য বলি, সংস্কৃতি বলি, রাজনীতি বলি, বৈপ্লবিক কর্মকান্ড বলি তার সঙ্গে খোদ একটা বোঝাপড়া না করে কোনো ক্ষেত্রেই অগ্রসর হওয়া যাবে না।
  37. ^ Anwar, Nurul (2010). Sofamrita ছফামৃত [Sofa Ambrosia] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Khan Brothers and Company. p. 183. ISBN 978-984-408-171-0.
  38. ^ Cite error: The named reference Jahangir was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  39. ^ Haseen, Shakina (2013). "Parishista: Ahmed Sofar Jibanpunji" পরিশিষ্ট: আহমদ ছফা জীবনপঞ্জি [Appendices: Important Events of Ahmed Sofa's Life]. In Anwar, Nurul (ed.). Ahmed Sofa Rachanabali আহমদ ছফা রচনাবলি [Ahmed Sofa's Collected Writings] (in Bengali). Vol. 8. Dhaka: Khan Brothers and Company. pp. 483–492. ISBN 978-984-408-126-0.