Ahmed Sofa

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Ahmed Sofa (Bengali: ???? ???, pronounced [a?m?d? s?fa]; 30 June 1943 - 28 July 2001) was a Bangladeshi writer, thinker, novelist, poet, and public intellectual. 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. A writer by occupation, Sofa wrote 8 novels, many essays, poems, newspaper columns, songs, travelogues, etc. His oeuvre was published in 9 volumes.

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, their awakening, their development as a community, their intellectual progress, etc. Anisuzzaman and many other consider Sofa's Bangali Musalmaner Man (The Mind of Bengali Muslim) one of the greatest thought-provoking books written in Bengali. 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.

Characterized by "a freshness of language" and diction, and "constant experimentation, and novelty" of subject matter and narration, his fictions portrayed Bangladesh with all its social, spiritual and political nuances. Critics acclaimed his portrayal of a society yet to overcome feudal and colonial residual in its social and political matrix, a society where common people's lives are crippled with class struggle and limited opportunities of empowerment. Abul Fazal, Ahmed Sharif and others considered Sofa's Omkar (The Om) (1975) the best literary expression of the liberation movement of Bangladesh. Gabhi Bittanta (A Tale of a Cow) (1995), a satirical novel on teachers' politics in Bangladeshi academia, is among the best satires in Bengali literature. Pushpa Briksa O Bihangapuran (A Tale of Flowers, Trees, and Birds) (1996), a semi-autobiographical novel in the first-person narrative, accounts the protagonist's extra-filial spiritual attachments with plants, flowers and birds in an urban setting reflecting Sofa's profound ecoconsciousness and biophilia. Some of his long poems include Ekti Prabeen Bata Brikser Kache Prarthana (Prayer to an Ancient Banayan Tree) (1977), and Basti Ujar (The Eviction of the Shanti Town Dwellers), etc.

Sofa and his works guided, inspired, influenced, and continue to inspire and influence many writers, filmmakers, painters, artists, and intellectuals including SM Sultan, Humayun Ahmed, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, Tarique Masud, Farhad Mazhar, Salimullah Khan, Bratya Raisu, Azfar Hussain, etc. He remains one of the most powerful intellectual influences in Bangladesh through his works and legacy.

For a bohemian lifestyle, and outspoken nature, Sofa was a controversial figure during his lifetime. He was called rebel, mad, insolent, devoid of respect for authority, and unnecessarily uncompromising harming his personal good.

Never to be co-opted by the establishment, Sofa rejected Lekhak Shibir Award in 1975, and Sa'dat Ali Akanda Award offered by Bangla Academy in 1993. He was awarded Ekushe Padak posthumously by the Government of Bangladesh in 2002.

Video Ahmed Sofa

Biography

Ahmed Sofa was born at Gachbaria in Chittagong district. He received his secondary and higher secondary education in Chittagong. He earned his master's in political science from the University of Dhaka. He moved to Dhaka in 1962. He began his writing career in the 1960s. In 1970s, he worked on his doctoral dissertation, under the supervision of Abdur Razzaq, on the growth of a middle class among the Bengali Muslims. Sofa died of cardiac arrest on 28 July 2001 in a hospital in Dhaka. He was buried in Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard.

Maps Ahmed Sofa

Writing career

Non-fictions

Marked by "a rare brilliance of genius" and revealing insight, Sofa's non-fiction writings deals with history, sociological issues, contemporary politics, literary and cultural critiques, etc. Sofa's Bangali Musalmaner Man (The Mind of the Bengali Muslims) (1981) contains nine essays written over twelve years from 1969 to 1980. "Rabindranather Sanksriti-Sadhana" was first published Kanthaswar in 1969 and "Banglar Chitra Oitihya: Sultaner Sadhana" was first published in Mulabhumi in 1980. In the eponymous essay "Bangali Musalmaner Man" first published in Monthly Samakal in 1976, Sofa explored the historical formation of Bengali Muslims' identity across the millennium. The essay changed the academic perception of Bengali Muslims' ethnic identity overnight. Upon publication, it polarized critics' opinion, some welcoming and others condemning the work. In Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas (A New Mode of Intellectualism) (1972), Sofa mapped the intellectual landscape of Bangladesh delineating general opportunistic tendencies of the intellectuals, and their collaboration with the Establishment before and after the liberation of the country. Sofa reminded the intellectuals of their true responsibility in the newly independent country and foretold what would await it if they failed to perform their responsibility. Though today Buddhibrittir Natun Binyas is highly acclaimed for its prophetic insight into the future political and cultural prospect of Bangladesh, Badruddin Umar commented that Sofa left the question of class unexplored. Jagrata Bangladesh (Watchful Bangladesh) (1971), Bangladesher Rajnoitik Jatilata (Political Complications in Bangladesh) (1977) explore political crises before and after the liberation of Bangladesh.

Fictions

In each novel, Sofa was "innovative in both form and content". Sofa's novels and stories were often based on his personal experience. He portrayed social injustice and presented common people's angst, and aspiration vividly. Sofa always handled his novels with meticulous thought and planning. The trend of telling mere stories in novels never attracted him.

Surya Tumi Sathi, Sofa's first novel, was published in 1967 when he was 24. Upon publication, the book was acclaimed for its characterization and the realistic representation of social values. The central conflict of the plot pivots around Hashim whose father got converted into Islam from Hinduism. Hashim's grandmother rises above the orthodox rituals and thoughts of her society by taking responsibility for Hashim's newly born baby. Living in a society where a Hindu does not even take food from a Muslim neighbour, Poddar Ginni, an aged, ordinary-minded, pious woman, does not hesitate to come see the dead body of her grandson's wife.

Omkar (The Om) (1975) narrates a story in which due to his father's unwise activities, the narrator is forced to marry a mute girl. The father-in-law arranges a job for him. His sister, who resides with him in his town house in Dhaka, practises songs with a harmonium. It is discovered that his speechless wife is trying to make sounds with that musical instrument. This makes the narrator-husband more sympathetic to his wife, and it inspires the woman to try even harder to speak. One day after the death of Asad in 1969, while a procession passes by their house, the housewife goes out to the veranda and tries to voice the slogans, but only blood flows out of her throat and she dies. The novel delineates the sociopolitical condition of the society as well as the sociofamilial environment very minutely.

Alat Chakra (1993), a highly acclaimed novel, tells the story of Bangladeshi refuges and their activity in Kolkata during the liberation war of Bangladesh. Daniel and Tayeba are focal characters of the novel. The story portrays the intellectuals refuges, and their self-seeking activities in a different light. On 3 December 1971, when India declared war against Pakistan and the independence of Bangladesh became certain, Tayeba, a cancer patient, passes away in the blackout night.

In Ekjan Ali Kenaner Utthan Patan, (1988) Sofa created an existentialist character Aali Kenan in a backdrop of Mazar culture in Bangladesh. The political scenes, from Ayub Khan to Sheikh Mujib, are explored from the viewpoint of the people living on the fringe of the society.

Maran Bilash (1989) portrays a minister at his deathbed. From midnight till dawn, the minister opens his mind to his attendant-cum-political follower Moula Box. He narrates his entire life from his boyhood to his maturity. He confesses all the misdeeds he has done. The witty and humorous confession of the politician turns out to be a reflective commentary on the contemporary society and regional politics, and brings out the dirty secrets of the sub-continental politics and politicians exploring history, economics, religion, sexuality, polygamy in the light of the sub-continental politics.

Gabhi Bittana (1995) satirizes teachers' politics surrounding senate members' election and vice-chancellor selection at the University of Dhaka. Sofa placed the supreme institution of Bangladesh, Dhaka University, in a satirical milieu in Gaavi Bittano.

Ardhek Nari Ardhek Ishvari (Half Woman and Half Goddess) (1996), a semi-autobiographical novel, pivots around the protagonists romantic relations with two women.

Pushpa Briksha Ebong Bihanga Puran (1996) (Tale of Flowers, Trees and Birds) reflects Sofa's eco-consciousness and biophilia. This semi-autobiographical novel revolves around the protagonists and his relation with nature, plants, trees, birds, and animals around him. Upon publication, some critics were reluctant to categorize it as a novel.

Poetry and others

Written in "a distinctive poetic style", Sofa's Ekti Prabin Bata Brikser Kachhe Prarthana (A Prayer to an Ancient Banyan Tree) (1977) envisions a Bangladesh free from poverty, exploitation and injustice.

Sofa's translation of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust was published in 1986.

Ahmed Sofa Smiriti Boktrita 12 || Salimullah Khan || - YouTube

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Social works and activity

"A good organiser", Sofa played an important role in mobilising writers along with Ahmed Sharif to established the Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir. He also opened several free school for the children of slum-dwellers in Dhaka. He also organized Sampradayik Dangar Biruddhe Sampriti Committee (1992-94), Taranga (1993-96), Nagarik Shakti (1995), etc.

Ahmed Sofa Smiriti Boktrita 12 (Part 10) || 28th July - YouTube

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Legacy and influence

Today Ahmed Sofa is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the Bengali language. He was described as a public intellectual "against opportunism", a "dissenting" writer fearless to speak the truth, and a "champion of idealism and progressive culture", etc. Syed Abul Maksud stated that Ahmed Sofa is the biggest patriot he ever saw after 1967 and the biggest enemy of religious fundamentalism. In Farhad Mazhar's opinion, Ahmed Sofa examined and surveyed Bengali Muslim society and the birth of Bangladesh so closely and intimately that nobody would make any progress in any field in Bangladesh, be it Bangladeshi politics, literature, or culture unless one studies and understands Sofa's works properly. Salimullah Khan hailed Sofa as a visionary thinker and considered him a successor to Kazi Nazrul Islam's legacy.

"Ahmed Sofa Rastroshobha" along with Centre for Asian Art and Culture organize the Ahmed Sofa Memorial Lecture at the University of Dhaka every year. In Chittagong, Ahmed Sofa Centers founded by a teacher at Chittagong University commemorates his work through its activity.

Sofa's novels and stories are frequently adapted into plays, films, etc.

Sofa : Sofa And Chair Blog Sofa And Chair London Zane Sofa And ...

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Controversy and criticism

For a bohemian lifestyle, and outspoken nature, Sofa was a controversial figure during his lifetime. He was called rebel, devoid of regards for authority, and unnecessarily uncompromising harming his personal good. Rahat Khan called him mad. His disagreements with Humayun Azad, Taslima Nasreen, and few others and subsequent denunciation of one another through write-ups were very much discussed and are still discussed by peers and new generation of writers. A professional writer, Sofa endured financial hardship though he was also known for his prodigality helping many in their need. Many speculate that early in Sofa's life, he used to frequent Abdur Razzaq's residence to seek financial help. German embassy in Dhaka financed Sofa's translation of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust. Sofa helped publish Muammar Gaddafi's The Green Book in Bengali. Many were critical of his connection with Libiyan and German embassies.

Sofa wanted to immolate himself with a tinful of kerosene in 1972 to protest an attempted eviction of Humayun Ahmed's family from a house (allotted by government for the martyrs' family); Sikandar Abu Zafar stopped him from self-immolation by assuring and ensuring the prevention of the eviction. Humayun Ahmed reminisced about the event many times in his different memoirs.