By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: Renowned Bengali writer & Sahitya Academy winner Syed Mustafa Siraj is no more. He passed away on Wednesday, 4th September, 2012. He was suffering from cyst in his colon. He was admitted a nursinghome at Kolkata on 30th August, but failed his heart on 4th September afternoon at the age of 82. Syed Mustafa Siraj is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. His Namaz e Janaza (funeral prayer) was held on 5th September and has been cremated in his native village Khosbaspur.
Syed Mustafa Siraj comes from an elite family of Khosbaspur of Murshidabad district. His father Syed Abdur Rahman Firdausi was renowned Freedom Fighter and Persian language expert.
Syed Mustafa Siraj
Syed Mustafa Siraj born in Khosbaspur Village of Murshidabad in 1932. After the independence very few Muslims engaged in writing story, novel etc in West Bengal. Syed Mustafa Siraj made a significant mark in Bengali literature, specially novel and detective stories. He got India’s prestigious Award `Sahitya Academy’ in 1994 for his fantasy novel `Aleek Manush’.
Syed Mustafa Siraj wrote around 200 novels and 300 short stories.
Sahitya Academy winner `Aleek Manush’ was published as a serial in a historical periodical `Chaturanga’ in ‘80’s, which was established by Ex union education Minister Humaun Kabir. `Aleek Manush’ was published as book in 1989.
He was honored by `Indian Bhasha Parhsad’ as Ramkumar Bhualka Award. Few years back he was awarded IIPS award for his creation a special popular detective character `Goenda Kornel’ (Detective Colonel) in Bengal literature. He also got `Bankim Purashkar’ from Government of West Bengal. `Aleek Manush’ has been translated in 11 Indian languages and published by National Book Trust. Sahitya Academy also published the English translation of this novel. In 2009, he was get D.lit from North Bengal University.
He started his writing career with short stories and became famous immediately. Some of his memorable short stories are “Inti, pisi o hatbabu”, “Bhalobasa o down train “Hizal Biler Rakhalera’ and “Taranginir Chokh”, ” Uro pakhir Chhaya”, “Manusher Janma”, “Maati”, “Goghna”, and “Mrityur Ghora”. The readers loved his works and his style of story-telling.
His many novels and short stories were translated into all major Indian languages. His novels like `Maya Mridanga’, `Janmari’, `Swarnachampar Upakkhan’, Niloy Na jani’, Trinabhumi’, `Plabon, `Neel Gharer Nati` and best creation of a new detective novel “Colonel Samagra” are continue to be the best-sellers.
Hi short story “Ranirghater Brittanto” was made into a film “Faltu” by Bengali director Anjan Das.
Abdur Rauf, editor of `Chaturanga’ literary Magazine told TwoCircles.net that “Siraj Saheb will be missed.” He added, “Before the latest craze about fantasy influenced by Western literature, it was Syed Mustafa Siraj who started this in his novel “Aleek Manush.”
“He used good Muslim characters in his novel & story which was very popular in the Bengali world,” said Abdur Rauf.
President of Sahitya Academy and renowned poet Sunil Ganguly said, “Syed Mustafa Siraj was a great writer and his creation in Bengali novel and short story is remarkable in the history.”
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Higher Education Minister Bratya Basu, Union Tourism Minister Sultan Ahmed and CPIM leader Biman Basu and many other personalities expressed their condolences to Siraj.