Syed Manzoorul Islam (1951-2025): A life in letters and public conscience
Emeritus Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, revered for his teaching, literary brilliance, and principled engagement with Bangladesh's cultural and civic spheres breathed his last today. He was 74.
Manzoorul, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of postmodern Bengali literature, died around 5:00 pm while undergoing treatment at Labaid Hospital in Dhaka, Mazharul Islam, chief executive of Anyaprokash, confirmed.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Mazharul Islam further said that Manzoorul's body will be kept at the Central Shaheed Minar around 11:00 am tomorrow for the public to pay their last respects. After Zuhr prayers and janaza at Dhaka University Mosque, he will be buried at the Mirpur Intellectuals' Graveyard.
Earlier today, Manzoorul was put on life support again, as his condition deteriorated.
Last Friday, Prof Manzoorul fell ill in his car on the way to the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. He was admitted to Labaid Hospital following a heart attack. After undergoing surgery, two stents were placed in his heart.
Since last Saturday, his condition had deteriorated. His oxygen level dropped, and his condition worsened due to water accumulation in his lungs. Life support was provided on Sunday evening.
He left behind a son and wife, host of relatives, and well-wishers to mourn his death.
Manzoorul was awarded Ekushey Padak for his contribution to language and literature in 2018, and received the Bangla Academy Award for literature in 1996.
Born on January 18, 1951, in Sylhet, Manzoorul completed his BA and MA in English from Dhaka University, followed by a PhD in English Literature from Queen's University, Canada.
He taught English literature for over four decades, retiring from Dhaka University in 2018. He later joined the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and served as visiting faculty at BRAC University. In 2023, Dhaka University honoured him as Emeritus Professor.
His academic interests spanned Elizabethan drama, literary theory, and cultural studies. He had been a vocal advocate for university autonomy and inclusive education, especially during the pandemic, highlighting the digital divide and the need for increased investment in higher education.
Manzoorul served on the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and was the Ombudsperson of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). He was a former trustee of both TIB and the National Museum, and a member of the Executive Council of Bangla Academy.
He was also a noted columnist, writing regularly on political and social issues.
He entered the fiction arena in 1973 through a short story published in the weekly Bichitra. However, this was followed by a long voluntary hiatus. After nearly a decade and a half, he made a return with a story in the 1989 Eid issue of Bichinta. Since then, he had been writing regularly, primarily focusing on short stories.
As a writer, Manzoorul Islam is known for blending realism and surrealism. His collection "Prem O Prarthonar Golpo" won the Prothom Alo Book of the Year Award in 2005.
His notable works include "Thaka Na Thakar Golpo", "Kach Vanga Raater Golpo", "Andhakar O Alo Dekhar Golpo", "Adhkhana Manushyo", "Dinratriguli", "Ajgubi Rat", "Tin Porber Jibon", and "Nandantattwa". His English short story collection "The Merman's Prayer and Other Stories" was acclaimed for its magical realism and postmodern style.
Comments