An Eulogy of Professor Dr. MahbubulHaque: An Iconic Name in Bengali Language & Literature!

Wherever we may keep a rose, it spreads its fragrance in its equal grace and beauty. Whatsoever name we may call it, the rose permeates its aurora through the corridors of the sky. Similarly, there are some rarely bred humans who emit the glows to enlighten their fellow humans in respective field of studies no matter whether it is crafted and conveyed through the vehicle of language either in Bangla or English to rightly hit the target of human's creative faculty of mind. Yes, I am speaking of such a gem of a person who is none other than my old friend, ever-since my school days, Professor Dr. MahbubulHaque. If I fall back upon the reverie of reminiscence of my bygone days, I can recall in the  murky frame of mind, a boy of 10/11 years of age, in 1959 stepped in the corridor of Chittagong Collegiate School where he had mesmerized his fellow teachers and audiences by reciting Polli Kobi Jashim Uddin's'Kobor' in dramatic fashion leaving his audiences in moist eyes with whimpers in quivering lips;only to become a scholar with extensive erudition in Bangla language and literature in later part of his life with feathers of laurels and accolades in his crown acquired in his long  journey of life serving Bangla language and literature with fame and repute.

A born literary figure, MahbubulHaque composed his first poem in 1962 which was published in the Annual College Magazine when he was a student of Chittagong Collegiate School. His passion for poem and other literary work, ever-since his boyhood, gracefully continued up-to his ripe age in easy steps to enlighten his fellow friends and readers.

After securing a first class in MA,  the University authority offered him to join the university as a lecturer, but he declined to take the job as he was destined for social work with innovative ideas in Bohemian fashion and walked the twists and turns of life for long years. But after earning a Ph.D in 1997, after years, strange destiny brought him to join the Chittagong University in 1997. In his classroom lectures, he could amply spellbind his students with selecting right words, diction and delivery with literary grandeur that he acquired from the  days of his early boyhood . During his long career, Prof. Haque penned many book of varied field and interest of Bengali literature and earned commendation of host of other literary giants of both Bangladesh and West Bengal roaming in the arbour  oflanguage and literature with grace. Prof. Mahbub'suntiring  research work on Michael ModhusudonDutta brought him Modhusudon Scholar Award from the government.

Dr.MahbubulHaque earned many prestigious awards and accolades like 'EkushePadak' in 2014, Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2017, Chittagong City Corporation Literary Award in 2017, Nazrul University Literary Award in 2016, Epic Poet Modhusudon Award in 2011 and lot more prizes to name on different occasions.

On Bangla language and literature, his contribution in creating methodology of Bangla spelling , Bangla Dictionary , grammar and correct application of Bangla both in dialect and writing is commendable. His research work on KaziNazrul Islam's life and creativity deserves special mention, at this point, which led him to earn KaziNazrul Islam University Award.

Mahbubworked diligently on writing a book on Liberation War folklore  with detailed narratives of documentary evidences of folklore during Liberation War in 1971, keeping a multiferousliving testament of varied interest of folklore. He penned 31 essays on Bangla language, literature and folklore which found a place in a published anthology of essaysthat brought him Bangla Academy Literature Award in 2017. As an author of 250 research papers and essays published in literary journals on different occasions , Dr. Mahbub once again proved himself equal to the task in registering his name in the list of prolific writers in the field of language and literature.

On the occasion of birth centenary of Bangabandhu  SheikhMujiburRahman, Mahbub dedicated a book 'Sheikh Mujibin Chittagong' which has been lauded by the readers believing in the spirit of Liberation War. Dr. Mahbub didn't confine himself  in the periphery and domain of Bengal region only, rather he carried his rare talent all the way to  Patiala University, Punjab and presented a paper titled 'Pressing the past and welcoming the change: retaining the folk culture in the global context' in the 20th Indian folklore congress in Patiala University.  Dr. Mahub has in his credit to present research papers in the prestigious colleges and universities like Bethun College, Jadabpur University and Kaillani University's, international forums and seminars.

Mahbub has authored  books on different subjects which are no less in numbers with carrying special weight for the discerning readers. While authoring books, as he was brought up in Chittagong, he did not fail in his duty to do justice to Chittagonian language and dialect that he spoke in his boyhood days with his buddies in school without relent. A jointly edited book titled, 'ChatgaBhasarRoopParichaya' in 2015 to introduce Chittagonian language to the non-chittagonian readers and also to stir the imagination of Chittagonians who love to speak the language wherever they go.

To break the monotony of a serious discussion on language and it's literature, at this point,with considerable trepidation, I just cannot check the temptation of referring to a joke saying that having born in Nodiya, Shantipur of West Bengal  and after coming of age,  the Bengali language traveled towards East and reached Dhaka where it fell little sick and feverish. After staying sometimes in Dhaka, the Bengali language traveled further south and reached Noakhali where it fell seriously ill with no remission from fever. With high temperature and  illness soaring, Bengali language travelled further south-east and reached Chittagong where it had died and was buried.

As stated, after scoring a first class in his M.A exam in 1970,Mahbub had the opportunity to join the Chittagong University as  a bright young teacher. But instead, having heard the clarion call of Bangabandhu ,Mahbub had crossed the border at Agartala and joined the Liberation War and did his duty diligently as a local organizer of Liberation War in the capacity of a director at KartabariRecruiting Camp and Associate Director at Bordualy Base Camp and made spectacular contributions in forging the fighting the dynamics of the Liberation War.

In post liberation Bangladesh, after the gruesome massacre of Bangabandhu and members of his family except two daughters of his family who were then abroad, Mahbub played an active role as a member of BangabandhuParishad in Chattogram by recreating the towering image of Bangabandhu which was eclipsed by the ominous shadow ofanti Liberation War forces and their cohorts for long 21 years from 1975 to 1996.

In order to uphold the flambeau of Liberation War, a group of freedom fighters led by former mayor of Chittagong City Corporation Mr. MohiuddinChowdhury took the bold initiative to organize BijoyMela at the outer stadium of Chattogram. Mahbub was one of the leading organizers of BijoyMela and brought out publications highlighting the glory of Liberation War and BijoyMela as well.

Beginning his career as Asstt. Professor in the department of Bangla ,Mahbub rose to a full fledged Professor of Bangla in the Chittagong University and contributed remarkably in serving the language and literature with great devotion. Equally, he earned a M. Phil and Ph.D from the Chittagong University under supervision of Professor Dr..Muniruzzaman. The chief examiner of his Ph. D thesis was National Professor Dr. Anisuzzaman, while ProfessorOshru Kumar Shikdar of Uttarbanga University remained as external examiner. Mahbub'sPh. D thesis was based on the works of great modern poets: Samar Sen, SubhashMukhopaddhaya and Sukanta Bhattacharya.

Mahbub is deeply associated with Bangla Academy and Asiatic Society . He had participated in many forums and seminars in universities  and colleges of Kolkata, Jadabpur , BiswaBharati , Assam and Gorebaanga University, St. Pauls College, Bethun College, Tomluk College, West Bengal Bangla Academy and BongioSahitticPorishod , Patiala University . Having been invited ,he had  presented essays in First SAARC Folklore Festival in Delhi in 2007. He was appointed Vice Chancellor at Cumilla University and did justice to the post with dignity and honor.

Canvas of Professor Dr. MahbubulHaque is so vast , his contribution to Bangla language and literature  is so widespread , it is not possible on my part to put allin one frame. As a mid septuagenarian, he is still contributing in the arena of Bangla Language  and  Literature with equal fame and repute. May Allah grant him with a good health and long life.

    
A BirMuktijoddah and former Civil Servant, MahbubarRahman is a school friendof Prof. Dr. MahbubulHaque.