Farrukh Ahmad

Syed Farrukh Ahmad (; 10 June 1918 – 19 October 1974), later simply known as Farrukh Ahmad, was a Bangladeshi poet and author. He is commonly known as the poet of the Muslim renaissance, as many of his poems embody the spirit of resurrection in the hearts of the colonised Muslims of Bengal. Other than being a distinguished bearer of Islamic thought in modern Bengal, his poetry is also significant for its diction and literary value. The transition from romanticism to modernism is evident in his poetry and he is best known for his magnum opus, Sat Sagorer Majhi.

Early life Syed Farrukh Ahmad was born on 10 June 1918, to a wealthy and respected Bengali Muslim family in the village of Majhail in Sreepur, Magura, which was then under the Jessore District of the Bengal Presidency. His grandmother gave him the daak naam of Ramzan, as his birth coincided with the month of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar.

Education and career He graduated from Khulna Zilla School in 1937 and did his IA from Ripon College, Kolkata in 1939. He then enrolled at the prestigious Scottish Church College to pursue a BA (Hons) in philosophy and English literature, but was unable to his complete studies there.

Political views As a student, Farrukh Ahmad had been attracted to the radical humanism of Manabendra Nath Roy and had participated in leftist politics. From the forties, however, he supported the Pakistan Movement, which advocated for an independent Muslim state. He was an ardent supporter of the Bengali language movement in 1952 as well as the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

Literary works His poems reflect the legacy of Arabic and Persian in Bengal and are replete with Arabic and Persian words. He also wrote satirical poems and sonnets.

Books Sat Sagorer Majhi (The Sailor of the Seven Seas), December, 1944 Sirajam Munira (September, 1952) Naufel O Hatem (June, 1961) Muhurter Kabita (A Moment's Poem), September, 1963 Dholai Kabbo , January, 1963 Hatemtayi (May, 1966) Habida Marur Kahini (September, 1981) Kafela (August, 1980) Sindabad (October, 1983) Dilruba (February, 1994)

Books for children Pakhir Basa (The Bird's Nest)(1965) Horofer Chhora (Alphabet Rhymes, 1970) Chhorar Asor (Party of Rhymes, 1970) Fuler Jolsa (Concert of Flowers, December, 1985) Chiriyakhana (The Zoo, 1980)

Personal life He married his first cousin Syeda Tayeba Khatun Lily in November 1942. On the occasion of this marriage, Ahmad wrote the poem Upohar, which was published by the Saogat in late 1942.

Awards Bangla Academy Literary Award (1960) President's Award for Pride of Performance (1961) Adamjee Literary Award (1966) UNESCO Prize (1966) Ekushey Padak (posthumously, 1977) Independence Day Award (posthumously, 1980. This award is also known as the Swadhinata Padak)