# Khalekdad Chowdhury

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**Khalekdad Chowdhury** (Bengali: খালেকদাদ চৌধুরী; 2 February 1907 – 16 October 1985), also known by [pen names](/source/Pen_name) **Shahadat Chowdhury** and **Atashbaz**, is a reputed Bangladeshi writer, playwright and novelist. In recognition of his contribution to Bengali language and literature, the [government of Bangladesh](/source/Government_of_Bangladesh) posthumously awarded him the country's second highest civilian award [Ekushey Padak](/source/Ekushey_Padak) in 2018.[1]

## Early life and family

Chowdhury was born on 2 February 1907 in his maternal home at the village of Changaon in [Madan](/source/Madan_Upazila), [Netrokona](/source/Netrokona_District) of the erstwhile [Bengal Presidency](/source/Bengal_Presidency)'s [Mymensingh district](/source/Mymensingh_Division). He belonged to a [Bengali Muslims](/source/Bengali_Muslims) family and was the eldest of Nawab Ali Chowdhury and Najmunnessa Chowdhury's eight sons and two daughters. Chowdhury's paternal home was in the village of Sonajor in [Atpara](/source/Atpara_Upazila), and they were descendants of one of the 16th-century [Baro-Bhuiyan](/source/Baro-Bhuiyan) families. Following the [Battle of Plassey](/source/Battle_of_Plassey) in 1757, his ancestors had found refuge in the [Gazipur](/source/Gazipur_District). Later, two brothers named Ghazi Lashkar and Ghazi Askar from this family settled in the [Pargana](/source/Pargana) of Alapsingh in present-day [Mymensingh Division](/source/Mymensingh_Division). The younger brother, Ghazi Askar, permanently settled in Sonajor, where his descendants live and were granted the title of [Chowdhury](/source/Chowdhury). Khalekdad Chowdhury is the fifth generational descendant of Ghazi Askar.[2]

## Education

Chowdhury's education began at the Nazirganj Primary School in 1911, and then at the Jahangirpur School in [Madan](/source/Madan_Upazila) in 1916. The following year, Chowdhury enrolled at the [Datta High School](/source/Datta_High_School) from where he passed his first-class [matriculation](/source/Matriculation) in 1924. He proceeded to study at the [Lord Ripon College](/source/Surendranath_College) in [Kolkata](/source/Kolkata), and later at the [Islamia College](/source/Maulana_Azad_College) of Calcutta where he received his [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) in English.[2]

## Career

His father, Nawab Ali Chowdhury, died in February 1928, which meant that the family responsibilities were passed down to him. Chowdhury was thus unable to complete his education and so returned to [Netrokona](/source/Netrokona). His career began in 1929 as the supervisor of [Calcutta Midland Bank](/source/Midland_Bank)'s Netrokona branch. The following year, he served as an assistant teacher at a school in [Calcutta](/source/Calcutta). From 1944 to 1961, he worked for the government as a public relations officer in Netrokona, [Sunamganj](/source/Sunamganj_District) and [Sylhet](/source/Sylhet_District). For a long time, he was the director of Netrokona children's organisation Modhumachi Koci-kacar Mela and the elected general secretary of [Red Crescent Society](/source/Red_Crescent_Society). He established a general library in Netrokona and was involved in the [Bangladesh Liberation War](/source/Bangladesh_Liberation_War) of 1971.[2]

### Literary career

Chowdhury's writings emerged around the same time he was working as a bank supervisor. He preferred writing over his main career. His first poem was published in a magazine named *Bikash* from [Calcutta](/source/Calcutta) that was edited by [Bande Ali Mia](/source/Bande_Ali_Mia). His writings were inspired by the works of poets [Abdul Quadir](/source/Abdul_Quadir) and [Abul Kalam Shamsuddin](/source/Abul_Kalam_Shamsuddin). To earn a side-income during his time as a teacher, Chowdhury joined [Abul Mansur Ahmad](/source/Abul_Mansur_Ahmad)'s *Daily Krishak* newspaper as the writer for its children's section *Chandher Hat* under the [pen name](/source/Pen_name) of "Shahadat Chowdhury". At that time, people used to call him *Mama* (uncle). After meeting [Qazi Nazrul Islam](/source/Qazi_Nazrul_Islam) in 1941, he became actively involved in Nazrul's literary [addas](/source/Adda_(South_Asian)). He became a literary editor of Nazrul's *[Daily Nabajug](/source/Nabajug)* and simultaneously directed the *Aguner Phulki* children's paper under the pen name of "Atashbaz". Chowdhury was also a regular writer for the *[Monthly Saogat](/source/Saogat)*, *[Monthly Mohammadi](/source/The_Mohammadi)*, *[Mahe Nao](/source/Mahe_Nao)*, *Dilruba* *Jugbani*, *Sachitra Sandhani*, *Pakistan Khabar*, *Pratidhwani* and other magazines and papers. From Netrokona, he used to edit and publish the fortnightly *Uttar Akash* and literary periodical *Srijani* to motivate the young Bengali writers of the time. Notable writers that wrote for these two magazines were [Rafiq Azad](/source/Rafiq_Azad), [Helal Hafiz](/source/Helal_Hafiz), Jivana Chaudhury, Shantimaya Viswasa and [Nirmalendu Goon](/source/Nirmalendu_Goon).[2]

In 1983, Chowdhury was awarded the [Bangla Academy Literary Award](/source/Bangla_Academy_Literary_Award).[citation needed]

## Personal life

Chowdhury married his cousin (paternal aunt's daughter) Hamida Chowdhury in October 1927.[2]

## Death and legacy

Chowdhury died on 16 October 1985, with his last work being a short story titled *Abarta*. Following his death, essayist [Abu Jafar Shamsuddin](/source/Abu_Jafar_Shamsuddin) wrote an article in which he said:

... Kazi Nazrul Islam was the full moon in the young Muslim society of that time. Numerous stars were shining around him, radiating as much light as he could. Everyone is saying goodbye one by one. The last star fell as soon as Khalekdad Chowdhury passed away.[2]

To notify Chowdhury's contributions to the new generation and to preserve his memory, the Netrokona Literature Society introduced the *Khalekdad Chowdhury Literary Award* in 1997.[3] Every year on [Pohela Falgun](/source/Pohela_Falgun), a poet or literatteur is awarded this, and past winners include [Rafiq Azad](/source/Rafiq_Azad), [Kabir Chowdhury](/source/Kabir_Chowdhury), [Rabeya Khatun](/source/Rabeya_Khatun), [Bulbon Osman](/source/Bulbon_Osman), [Abu Hasan Shahriar](/source/Abu_Hasan_Shahriar), [Anisul Hoque](/source/Anisul_Hoque), [Helal Hafiz](/source/Helal_Hafiz), [Selim Al Deen](/source/Selim_Al_Deen), [Humayun Ahmed](/source/Humayun_Ahmed), [Mahadev Saha](/source/Mahadev_Saha), [Nirmalendu Goon](/source/Nirmalendu_Goon), [Jatin Sarker](/source/Jatin_Sarker) and [Muhammed Zafar Iqbal](/source/Muhammed_Zafar_Iqbal).[3]

## Works

He has published 15 books including novels, short stories, essays, translations, plays etc:

- Ekti Atmar Apamrittu
- Raktakta Adhyay
- Chand Beger Garh
- Shap Marir Abhishap
- E Mati Rokte Ranga

His translation books are:

- Maru Sahara
- [Baharistan-i-Ghaibi](/source/Baharistan-i-Ghaibi), four volumes, (Divya Prakash, Dhaka)
- Al Bakar Dwip
- Bishwa Sahitya Parichay
- Abhishapta Masnad (play)
- Shatabdir Dui Diganta (autobiographical work)

## Further reading

- Rashid, Imamur (1997). "খালেকদাদ চৌধুরী" [Khalekdad Chowdhury] (in Bengali). *জীবনী গ্রন্থমালা*. [Dhaka](/source/Dhaka): [Bangla Academy](/source/Bangla_Academy)

## References

1. ["21 named for Ekushey Padak"](https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/ekushey-padak-goes-21-persons-1532002). *The Daily Star*. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2019.

1. ["bn:দুই বাংলাতেই তিনি ছিলেন খ্যাতিমান লেখক"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190425190112/http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2009-10-16/news/12588) (in Bengali). *Prothom Alo*. Archived from [the original](http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2009-10-16/news/12588) on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.

1. Begum, Alpona (16 October 2009). ["বরেণ্য সাহিত্যিক খালেকদাদ চৌধুরী"](http://www.sangbad.com.bd/details.php?news=23&action=main&option=single&news_id=14023&pub_no=150) [Well known writer Khalekdad Chowdhury] (in Bengali). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160305093843/http://www.sangbad.com.bd/details.php?news=23&action=main&option=single&news_id=14023&pub_no=150) 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 October 2009.

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