Josimuddin

Jasimuddin (Bengali: জসীম উদ্‌দীন) (1 January 1903 – 14 March 1976), popularly called Palli Kabi (Pastoral Poet), was a Bengali Bangladeshi poet, lyricist, composer and writer widely celebrated for his modern ballad sagas in the pastoral mode.[1] His Nakshi Kanthar Math and Sojan Badiar Ghat are considered among the best lyrical poems in the Bengali language.[2] He is the key figure for the revivals of pastoral literature in Bengal during the 20th century.[1] A versatile writer, Jasimuddin wrote poems, ballads, songs, dramas, novel, stories, memoirs, travelogues, etc.[3]

Jasimuddin

Jasimuddin in 1951

Jasimuddin in 1951

Native name

জসীমউদ্দীন

Born

1 January 1903

Tambulkhana, Faridpur, Bengal Presidency, British India

Died

14 March 1976 (aged 73)

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Occupation

Poet, songwriter, writer, radio, composer, personality, teacher

Nationality

Bangladeshi

Pakistani (Prior to 1971)

British Indian (Prior 1947)

Education

MA (Bengali)

Alma mater

University of Calcutta

Notable awards

Ekushey Padak (1976)

Independence Day Award (1978)

Children

Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud

Born in Faridpur, Jasimuddin was educated at Culcutta University where he also worked as Ramtanu Lahiri assistant research fellow under Dinesh Chandra Sen from 1931 to 1937.[4] In 1938, he joined the University of Dhaka and taught there for 5 years.[4] In 1944, he joined the Department of Information and Broadcasting of the then government and retired in 1962.[4]

"An ardent supporter of socialism" and Bengali language movement, Jasimuddin was "one of the pioneers of the progressive and non-communal cultural movement" during 1950s and 1960s.[4] He was awarded the President's Award for Pride of Performance in 1958, Ekushey Padak in 1976 and Swadhinata Dibas Puruskar posthumously in 1978.[4] He rejected Bangla Academy Award in 1974.[4]

In January, 2018, Bangla Academy announced Jasimuddin Literary Award, a biennial award to be given for life-time contribution to Bangla literature.[5]

Early life and career Edit

Jasimuddin (certificate in hand) at the reception by Rajenra College, Faridpur after the selection of "Kabar" poem by the University of Calcutta in 1928

Jasimuddin in London, England (1951)

Jasimuddin was born in the village of Tambulkhana in Faridpur District on 1 January 1903 in his maternal uncle's house. His father, Ansaruddin Mollah, was a school-teacher.[4] His mother, Amina Khatun (Rangachhut) received early education at Faridpur Welfare School. He matriculated from Faridpur Zilla School in 1921. Jasimuddin completed IA from Rajendra College in 1924. He obtained his BA degree in Bengali from the University of Calcutta in 1929 and his MA in 1931.[4] From 1931 to 1937, he worked with Dinesh Chandra Sen as a collector of folk literature. Jasimuddin is one of the compilers of Purbo-Bongo Gitika (Ballads of East Bengal). He collected more than 10,000 folk songs, some of which has been included in his song compilations Jari Gaan and Murshida Gaan. He also wrote voluminously on the interpretation and philosophy of Bengali folklore.[6]

Jasimuddin joined the University of Dhaka in 1938 as a lecturer. He left the university in 1944 and then worked at the Department of Information and Broadcasting until his retirement in 1962 as the deputy director.[4]Jasimuddin was married to Begum Mamtaz Jasimuddin (d. 2006).[8] Together they had three sons, Kamal Anwar Hashu, Firoz Anwar and Khurshid Anwar, and two daughters, Begum Hasna Moudud and Asma Elahi. Hasna is the wife of politician Moudud Ahmed.[8] Asma is married to Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury.[9]