Mazharul Islam (poet)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Professor
Mazharul Islam
মাজহারুল ইসলাম
Director General of Bangla Academy
In office
2 June 1972[1] – 12 August 1974
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byNilima Ibrahim
Vice-chancellor of University of Rajshahi
Preceded byKhan Sarwar Murshid
Succeeded bySyed Ali Ahsan
Personal details
Born(1929-07-01)1 July 1929
Died14 November 2003(2003-11-14) (aged 74)
Bangkok, Thailand
NationalityBangladeshi
ChildrenChoyon Islam, Merina Jahan Kabita
EducationPh.D.
Alma materIndiana University

Mazharul Islam (1 July 1929 – 14 November 2003)[2][3] was a Bangladeshi poet, folklorist, and academic. He served as the vice-chancellor of the University of Rajshahi. In 1972, he was appointed as the first Director General of Bangla Academy.[4][5]

Education and career[edit]

Islam obtained his PhD in Bengali literature in 1958 and another Ph.D. in folklore studies from Indiana University in 1963.[6]

Personal life and legacy[edit]

Islam was married to Nurjahan Mazhar.[2] Together they had two sons and two daughters. His four children are Merina Jahan Kabita, a member of the Bangladesh Awami League Central Committee and imcumbent member of Jatiya Sangsad (2021-present), Choyon Islam, a prominent industrialist and former Member of Parliament (2008–2014), Dr Chanda Islam, professor of Murray State University and Shovon Islam, a prominent computer scientist and one of the leading industrialists of Bangladesh.[7][2][3][8]

In 2009, "Mazharul Islam Kabita Puruskar", an annual award to inspiring poets, was introduced by Islam's family.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Another decade of the academy". Dhaka Tribune. 2015-12-05. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  2. ^ a b c "Mazharul Islam Award introduced". The Daily Star. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  3. ^ a b "Dr Mazharul Islam dead". The Daily Star. 2003-11-16. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  4. ^ "Bangla Academy marks 54th founding anniv today". Dhaka Mirror. 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  5. ^ "Brief History of Bangla Academy". banglaacademy.org.bd. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  6. ^ "Prof Mazharul Islam's 11th death anniv today". New Age. 2014-11-15. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  7. ^ "In memoriam Dr Mazharul Islam : From a daughter's perspective". The Daily Star. 2003-12-31. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  8. ^ "Professor Mazharul Islam's death anniversary Sunday". Dhaka Tribune. 2020-11-14. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  9. ^ "Mazharul Islam Award introduced". The Daily Star. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2018-01-04.