The rise of Syed Haq in early 1950s along with a couple of other young poets like Saheed Qadri, Shamsur Rahman and Fazal Shahabuddin made the debut of a new chapter in Bengali literature and our own culture for sometime parallel to Kolkata-based literary circle and then to make Dhaka the home of Muslim dominated Bengali literature.
This period also saw the rise of Al-Mahmud, Akhtaruzzaman Ilyas and some others earning fame for creative literary works. These young poets would gather in old city in those days in pastime gossip and slowly laid the foundation of a new literary exercise that eventually faded the significance of Kolkata to Dhaka-based literary circles. Since then Syed Haq, dominated contemporary Bangla literature for over six decades writing innumerable poetry, fiction, plays (mostly in verse), and essays. He also wrote film scripts and penned many patriotic songs of incomparable beauty.
The treasure trove of Haq’s literary work is very rich. His poetry collections Ekoda Ek Rajje, Boishekhe Rochito Ponktimala, Birotihin Utsob, Protidhonigon, Opor Purush have no parallel in style and beauty. His plays — Payer Awaj Paoa Jay, Nuruldiner Sara Jibon, Ekhane Ekhon, Ganonayaka, Eersha, Narigon, Judhha ebong Judhha and novels Neel Dangsho, Smritimedh, Ek Mutho Janmabhumi, Ayna Bibir Pala, Megh O Machine and Khelaram Khele Ja, among others have inspired our generations and will continue to inspire the future generation.
He invariably won every major award in literature including Independence Award, Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, and Adamjee Literary Award. His poems spread lightening in a mysterious way to make appeal to readers’ own feelings. He believes that poetry gives shape to our experience in beautiful words. It gives us wings to fly. He is known for his lyrical flow of voices and counter-voices in novels and plays that no other playwright could make so effective. His plays and novels about the Liberation War delve into the psychological state of the people and their inner conflicts in a war-torn country.
He is no more. But despite his bodily demise, Syed Haq will stay in the mind of Bengali people for his versatile literary style and works. We pray for the salvation of his soul, may Allah rest him in peace.
