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In search of the lost writings of poet Sheikh Fazlal Karim

Our Correspondent, Niiphamari
"Kothay swargo, kothay narok? Ke boley ta bohudur? Manusher majhey swargo narok, manushetey surasur.” The author of this everfamiliar poem is Sheikh Fazlal Karim, a towering personality of the late 19th century and early 20th century Bengal. Unfortunately, many of his literary works are still to be discovered. Even the public library' -- set up at the poet's village to preserve his memories -- is in a ramshackle condition. The Fazlal Karim Smriti Parishad set up in Kakina, Lalmonirhat, the birthplace of the poet, has called upon the government to take necessary steps to recover Jus literary works from the country and abroad and to publish them.
Sheikh Fazlal Karim had been decorated with various titles such as "Sahitya Bisharad," ' Kabya Ratnakar" and "Neeti Bhushan." In fact, he was a contemporary of our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Begum Rokeya and Ismail Hossein Siraji.
The poet was born on April 9, 1882 at Kakina village of Kaliganj upazila in Lalmonirhat district. His father Amirullah Sardar was the 'Nazir' (accountant) of the renowned zamindar (landlord) of Kakina, Shambhu Chandra Roy Chowdhury. His mother was Kokila Bibi and he was the second of eight siblings.
The general secretary of Sheikh Fazlal Karim Smriti Parishad. Majnu Ali Sheikh said that the poet had authored innumerable poems, stories, novels and articles. However, due to lack of appreciation and the absence of patronage, most of his writings have been lost.
Sheikh demanded that the government should undertake an agreement with the Indian Government to seek out those lost writings in India's libraries, publishing houses and museums particularly in Kolkata. ,
Family members of the late poet said that after his death on September 28, 1936, Mainuddin Hossain, the founder of the then Noor Publishers of Sareng Lane in Kolkata, managed to wrest many of poet's manuscripts from his only son Matiur Rahman. Though the Kolkata publisher was close to
the poet's family and promised to preserve and publish his writings, he did not keep his pledge.
Family sources said that the poet had written 58/59 books on various aspects of Bangla literature. Most of them, they pointed out, are still to be found.
The poet's grandson Abdus Salam, a former professor of Bangla at the then Carmichael and Jagannath University College, recovered some old and torn manuscripts from Karim's village home. He compiled them and published a book, titled "Sheikh Fazlal Karim- er Kobita" in 1990.
Later, the Bangla Academy published another compilation, titled "Sheikh Fazlal Karim Rachonabali." Professor Abdus Salam lent his hand to the Bangla Academy in its publication. However, it is an unfinished work.
A leading social worker from the area, Bijoy Kumar Roy said that to preserve the memories of the poet, the Zilla Parishad of Lalmonirhat has set up the Poet Sheikh Fazlal Karim Library at his village, Kakina. He is quoted as saying, "The library has no books, furniture or employees and is in a sorry condition." He called for immediate steps to restore the library. *