Jasimuddin

Jasimuddin (Bengali: জসীম উদ্দীন) (1 January 1903 – 14 March 1976), popularly called Palli
Kabi (Pastoral Poet), was a Bangladeshi poet, lyricist, composer and writer widely celebrated for his
modern ballad sagas in the pastoral mode.[1] His Nakshi Kanthar Math and Sojan Badiar Ghat are
considered among the best lyrical poems in the Bengali language.[2] He is the key figure for the
revivals of pastoral literature in Bengal during the 20th century.[1] A versatile writer, Jasimuddin wrote
poems, ballads, songs, dramas, novel, stories, memoirs, travelogues, etc.[3]
Born in Faridpur, Jasimuddin was educated at Culcutta University where he also worked
as Ramtanu Lahiri assistant research fellow under Dinesh Chandra Sen from 1931 to 1937.[4] In
1938, he joined the University of Dhaka and taught there for 5 years.[4] In 1944, he joined the
Department of Information and Broadcasting of the then government and retired in 1962.[4]
"An ardent supporter of socialism" and Bengali language movement, Jasimuddin was "one of the
pioneers of the progressive and non-communal cultural movement" during 1950s and 1960s.[4] He
was awarded the President's Award for Pride of Performance in 1958, Ekushey Padak in 1976
and Swadhinata Dibas Puruskar posthumously in 1978.[4] He rejected Bangla Academy Award in
1974.[4]
In January, 2018, Bangla Academy announced Jasimuddin Literary Award, a biennial award to be
given for life-time contribution to Bangla literature.[5]

Early life and career[edit]

Jasimuddin (certificate in hand) at the reception by Rajenra College, Faridpur after the selection of "Kabar"
poem by the University of Calcutta in 1928

Jasimuddin in London, England (1951)

Jasimuddin was born in the village of Tambulkhana in Faridpur District on 1 January 1903 in his
maternal uncle's house. His father, Ansaruddin Mollah, was a school-teacher.[4] His mother, Amina
Khatun (Rangachhut) received early education at Faridpur Welfare School. He matriculated
from Faridpur Zilla School in 1921. Jasimuddin completed IA from Rajendra College in 1924. He
obtained his BA degree in Bengali from the University of Calcutta in 1929 and his MA in
1931.[4] From 1931 to 1937, he worked with Dinesh Chandra Sen as a collector of folk literature.
Jasimuddin is one of the compilers of Purbo-Bongo Gitika (Ballads of East Bengal). He collected
more than 10,000 folk songs, some of which has been included in his song compilations Jari
Gaan and Murshida Gaan. He also wrote voluminously on the interpretation and philosophy of
Bengali folklore.[6]
Jasimuddin joined the University of Dhaka in 1938 as a lecturer. He left the university in 1944 and
the worked at the Department of Information and Broadcasting until his retirement in 1962 as the
deputy director.[4]

Tomb of Jasimuddin

Poetry[edit]
Jasimuddin started writing poems at an early age. As a college student, he wrote the celebrated
poem Kabar (The Grave), a simple tone to obtain family-religion and tragedy. The poem was placed
in the entrance Bengali textbook while he was still a student of Calcutta University.
Jasimuddin is noted for his depiction of rural life and nature from the viewpoint of rural people. This
had earned the title as Palli Kabi (the rural poet). The structure and content of his poetry bears a
strong flavor of Bengal folklore. His Nokshi Kanthar Maath (Field of the Embroidered Quilt) is
considered a masterpiece and has been translated into many different languages.[citation needed]
Jasimuddin was introduced with Abbas Uddin by poet Golam Mostofa in a musical program held in
Kolkata in 1931.[7]

Major honors and awards[edit]

 President's Award for Pride of Performance, Pakistan (1958)
 DLitt. by Rabindra Bharati University, India (1969)
 Ekushey Padak (1976)
 Independence Day Award (1978)

Personal life[edit]
Jasimuddin was married to Begum Mamtaz Jasimuddin (d. 2006).[8] Together they had three sons,
Jamal Anwar, Firoz Anwar and Khurshid Anwar, and two daughters, Begum Hasna Moudud and
Asma Elahi. Hasna is the wife of politician Moudud Ahmed.[8]

Death and legacy[edit]

Faridpur Jasimuddin Museum in Faridpur

Jasimuddin died on 13 March 1976 and was buried near his ancestral home at Gobindapur,
Faridpur. A fortnightly festival known as Jasim Mela is observed at Gobindapur each year in January
commemorating his birthday.[9]
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasimuddin