DOT Desk: Late eminent writer Shawkat Osman was remembered at a programme held at Sufia Kamal Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum on Thursday, reports New Age.
Kathashilpi Shawkat Osman Smriti Parishad organised the programme marking his 103rd birth anniversary. The programme featured discussion and documentary screening. Science and technology minister Yafes Osman, also son of Shawkat Osman, Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, state minister for education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury, Bangla Academy director general Habibullah Siraji, Bangladesh National Museum director general Riaz Ahmed and vice chancellor of Begum Rokeya University Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, among others, were present as discussants at the programme, presided over by President of Kothashilpi Shawkat Osman Smriti Parishad Ahmad Rafique.
‘Shawkat Osman protested against anomalies in society during British and Pakistan periods and autocratic government of the ‘80s in Bangladesh. His writings give readers glimpse into social issues,’ said Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah. ‘He always protested against social anomalies. He wrote four figurative novels against the Pakistani rule namely Kritadaser Hasi, Samagam, Chaurasandhi and Raja Upakhyan.
His also wrote about our glorious liberation war,’ said Habibullah Siraji.

‘Shawkat Osman always highlighted cultures of ethnic minority groups in his works and spoke against the degeneration of culture,’ said Syed Manzoorul Islam.

Shawkat Osman was born on January 2, 1917 in Hooghli, West Bengal, India. His real name was Sheikh Azizur Rahman while Shawkat Osman was his penname. After the partition, Osman settled in East Pakistan.

Besides novels, he penned short stories, essays, plays, humorous writings, memoirs and books for children.

He passed away on May 14, 1998.