I remember being introduced to Mahmudul Haque (affectionately known as 'Botu Bhai') on a winter evening at his Jhigatala home. It was pretty chilly and there was continuous drizzle. The city was quiet because of the cold weather. Eminent sculptor Syed Abdullah Khalid introduced me to him. At first glance, he seemed to be an individual who has struggled long and hard. He was a bohemian, yet completely sociable. Anyone who had once been introduced to him would never forget his warmth and generosity. His expressions were distinct. He was the focal point at any social gathering.

Haque was a gifted writer. He was not exactly what is considered "popular" in the contemporary literary scene, but most aware readers were well-acquainted with his brilliant writing. He wrote, in fact, a few novels. His books could be finished at one go, as the essence is usually clear and easily comprehensible. The imagery he weaved was practically etched into the minds ofhis readers.

The most important aspect of all Haque's novels is his passion -- he never narrated a story for the sake of

storytelling. He analysed the characters elaborately and revealed their relationships with others. One trait that set Haque's novels apart is their slenderness. The thin volume however, should not be considered a disadvantage, as it takes remarkable restrain and skills for a writer to express himself in limited words.

The subjects of Haque's novels are pragmatic and relevant. His

inimitability lay in simplified articulation. He disliked complicated language. That however, does not mean that Haque's language was mundane and uninteresting; rather it was marked with subtlety and remarkable savour.

Mahmudul Haque first emerged as a short-story writer in the mid 1960, when the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) produced a num-

ber. of outstanding poets, novelists and writers like Mahadev Saha, Shahid Kadri, Rafiq Azad, Belal Chowdhury and Rabiul Hussain. Haque's first novel came out in 1973. Since then -- after long pauses - a total of six novels were authored by him: "Anur Pathshala (Anu at School)," "NirapodTandra (Uninterrupted Sleep)," "Jibon Amar Bon (Life is My Sister),” "Matir Jahaj (The

Clay Ship)," "Kalo Baraf (Black Snow)" and "Khelaghar (Playhouse)." Only one volume of short stories by him, "Protidin Ekti Rumal (One Handkerchief Everyday)" and a book for children, "ChikkoreKabuk."

In his last years, Haque became detached and led a solitary life. Last year we lost this virtuoso writer but for the readers he will always shine in the dimension he created.