Syed Abdul Malik

Syed Abdul Malik
Born	(1919-01-15)15 January 1919 Naharani, Golaghat, Assam Province, British India
Died	20 December 2000(2000-12-20) (aged 81) Jorhat, Assam
Occupation	Author, poet, ex-MP (RS)
Language	Assamese
Education	MA
Notable awards	Sahitya Akademi Award Padma Bhushan Padma Shri Assam Valley Literary Award
Spouse	Syeda Hasna Malik ​ (m. 1963)​

Syed Abdul Malik (16 January 1919 – 20 December 2000) was an Indian writer and politician. He was a prominent short story writer, novelist, poet, playwright, biographer, essayist and travelogue writer. He is widely recognized for his vast contributions to modern Assamese literature, having authored numerous novels, short stories, poems, and plays. In addition to his literary career, Malik served as a member of the Rajya Sabha and was the president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha in 1977.

He wrote more than 2,000 stories for nearly sixty-five years. He is considered the pioneer of modern Assamese short story literature. He has written more than 25 collections of short stories. He also wrote about 60 novels, five collections of poems, three children's literature and 20 stage radio plays, translations, satirical essays and numerous articles. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 for his novel Aghari Atmar Kahani. In addition to Assamese, Malik had etymologies in Bengali, Persian, Hindi, Urdu, and English. He was also fluent in Oriya, Nepali, Arabic, Sanskrit and Russian.

Early life and education

Malik was born on 16 January 1919 in Naharni, located in the Sibsagar district of East Assam. He received his primary education in Naharni and later moved to Gauhati for his higher education, attending Cotton College. After completing his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree, he began working as a professor of Assamese language and literature at J.B. College in Jorhat in 1951.

Literary career

Malik was a highly prolific writer, producing a total of 37 novels, 14 short story collections, 4 plays, and 2 poetry collections. His storytelling technique is characterized as effective and engaging, seamlessly weaving themes of romanticism, psychoanalysis, and social consciousness. His writing style is widely noted for its delicate sensitivity, empathy, and strong awareness of social issues.

Short stories

While Malik wrote across multiple genres, he achieved widespread popularity primarily as a short story writer within modern Assamese literature. The majority of his short stories focused on the psychological analysis of urban youth. He was also known for portraying unorthodox and unique themes of love with immense empathy in his stories.

Some of his notable short stories and compiled collections include Shesh Upakular Seluva Par, Pran Herovar Pachat, Ovar Aru Upakul, Marha Papari, Parasmani (1946), Ranga-Gara (1953), Maram-Maram Lage (1961) and Sheel Aru Sikha (1961).

Novels

Following the Second World War, Malik wrote continuously for a span of about twenty years. He began writing novels after his work with short stories. His early novels, such as Rathar Chakari Ghure (1950) and Banjui (1954), initially drew inspiration from romanticism. Over time, his novels began to explicitly integrate psychoanalysis and social awareness, as demonstrated in his 1958 novel Chhabi Ghar.

His 1960 work, Surajmukhir Swapna, is regarded as one of his most important and successful novels. In Kapilipariya Sadhu, he focused on portraying fleeting beauty, while Jiyajurir Ghat (1960) was a novel that dealt with bold and slightly explicit elements deeply intertwined with human life. His other prominent novels include Kanthahar (1961), Anya Akash Anya Tara (1962), Rupatirthar Jatri (1963) and Aghari Atmar Kahini (1972).

Poetry and plays

Malik published two collections of poetry during his career, among which Phulsarjir Rati is highly notable. He also authored theatrical plays, including Rajdrohi (1958). In this play, he reinterpreted the historical character of 'Satram' against the backdrop of a popular revolution.

Public life and travel

Beyond his literary output, Malik was deeply involved in public service and institutional leadership. He was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's parliament. He also occupied highly respected positions such as the president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha and was an official member of the Sahitya Akademi.

In 1965, after being honored with the Soviet Land Nehru Award, Malik set out on a journey across Russia. He later compiled his travel experiences and published these recollections across various magazines.

Malik received many awards, including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award, Sankar Dev Award, Xahityacharyya, etc. Malik won Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 for his novel Aghari Atmar Kahini (Tale of a Nomadic Soul). He also received Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1965, leading to his travels in Russia.

Death

He died on 20 December 2000.

Literary work

A) Novels

1. Umola Ghoror Dhuli (উমলা ঘৰৰ ধূলি) First Printed in "Baahi" Magazine in 1945-46 As Lo. Kha. Gu
2. BonJui (বনজুই) 1958
3. Kobitar Naam Labha (কবিতাৰ নাম লাভা) 1956
4. Doctor Arunabhar Ohompurna Jibony (ড: অৰুণাভৰ অসম্পূৰ্ণ জীৱনী) 1975
5. Sobighar(ছবি ঘৰ) 1959
6. Rothor Chokori Ghure (ৰথৰ চকৰি ঘূৰে) 1958
7. Matir Chaki (মাটিৰ চাকি) 1959
8. Konthahar (কণ্ঠহাৰ) 1960
9. Shurujmukhir Shapna(সুৰুযমুখীৰ স্বপ্ন) 1960
10. Jia Jurir Ghat (জীয়া-জুৰিৰ-ঘাট) 1960
11. Onnyo Aakakh Onnyo Tora (অন্য আকাশ অন্য তৰা) 1962
12. Adharshila (আধাৰশিলা) 1966
13. Mur babe Nuruba Maloti full (মোৰ বাবে নোৰুবা মালতী ফুল) 1966
14. Rajanighondhar Chakulu (ৰজনীগন্ধাৰ চকুলো) 1964
15. Prachir Aaru Prantor (প্ৰাচীৰ আৰু প্ৰান্তৰ) 1968
16. Trishul (ত্ৰিশূল) 1968
17. Aghari Atmar Kahini (অঘৰী আত্মাৰ কাহিনী)
18. Bih Metekar Full (বিহ মেটেকাৰ ফুল) 1969
19. Onnya Naam Mritu (অন্য নাম মৃত্যু ) 1970
20. Wilson, Aronya aaru moi (উইলচন অৰণ্য আৰু মই)
21. Omor maaya (অমৰ মায়া) 1970
22. Joya, Monika Ittadi (জয়া মনিকা ইত্যাদি) 1968
23. Khura Nidan (খোৰা নিদান) 1971
24. Ognighorbha (অগ্নিগৰ্ভা) 1971
25. Uaihaafolu (উইহাফলো) 1971
26. Hunali Hutare Bondha (সোণালী সূতাৰে বন্ধা) 1972
27. Hipare Pran Samudra (সিপাৰে প্ৰাণসমুদ্ৰ) 1972
28. Dukmukali (দোকমোকালি)
29. Eta Surjya, Dukhon Nodi, Ekhon Morubhumi (এটা সূৰ্য্য দুখন নদী এখন মৰুভূমি) 1972
30. Pransamudra (প্ৰাণসমুদ্ৰ) 1972
31. Pahumora Habir Baat (পহুমৰা হাবিৰ বাট) 1973
32. Jetuka Paator Dore (জেতুকা পাতৰ দৰে) 1973
33. Nool, Birina Khagori (নল - বিৰিনা - খাগৰি) 1973
34. Mon Jetukar Paat (মন জেতুকাৰ পাত) 1973
35. Ekabeka Bittya (একাবেকা বৃত্ত) 1975
36. Horirot Ekura Jui (শৰীৰত একুৰা জুই ) 1970
37. Mou Dimorur Kukh (মৌ ডিমৰুৰ কোহ) 1985
38. Rupaborir Polokh (ৰূপাবৰিৰ পলস 1980)
39. Fagunor Hekh Haahi (ফাগুনৰ শেষ হাঁহি) 1984
40. Godya, Podya, aaru Firingoti ( )_
41. Nihonga Moupiyar Geet ( ) 1985
42. Kebol Premerei Jodi ( ) 1985
43. Shapnabhonga ( ) 1985
44. Eta Dhumketur Horshojya ( )1987
45. Humeru, Kumeru aaru Eta Baahi ( )
46. Raatir Kobita ( )
47. Dhanya Nar Tanu Bhal (ধন্য নৰ তনু ভাল)
48. OnnyaJug Bhinnya Tirtha ( )
49. Bhumichompar Kopalot Henduror Fut ( )
50. Swaty Nokhyatror Bhosma ( )
51. Gathonit Tezor Koraal ( )
52. Ubhoti Ohar Gaan ( )
53. Bondar, Kamiz, Beloon ( )
54. Sotyaar Pothere Shantir Rothore Muktir Joijaatra ( )
55. Monushyatar Morihalit ( )
56. Monichunir Choka Chomka ( )
57. Fulonibaarir Brajrapat ( )
58. Moi Morinu Nejau Kiyo ( )
59. Nijorar Bukut Jola Juir Shikha ( )
60. Duborir Paatot Niyoror Tupal ( )
61. Aapun Aapun Swarga ( )
62. Prem Amritor Nodi ( )
63. Ruptirthar Yatri (ৰূপতীৰ্থৰ যাত্ৰী)
64. Moromor Mojiar Heujia Dubori ( )
65. Baalir Bukur Hunor Chekura ( )
66. Mou Mitha Hridoyor Bhakha ( ) 2000
67. Okhoy Obbyoy Smriti ( )
68. Oronya Debota ( )
69. Hunaali Aandhar ( )
70. Smritirekha ( )
71. Bohut Bedona Etupa Chakulu ( )
72. Moi Prostab Koru Je ( )

B) Story Collections

1. Parashmoni (পৰশমনি)
2. Rajanigondhar sokulo(ৰজনীগন্ধাৰ চকুলো)
3. Ronga gora(ৰঙাগৰা)
4. Ejoni Notun Chuwali
5. Moroha Papori
6. Morom Morom Lage
7. Hil Aaru Hikha
8. Hikhore Hikhore
9. Osthayi Aaru Ontora
10. Choy Nombor Proshnor Uttar
11. Andhakup
12. Bibshya Bedona
13. Aabortya
14. Tinichokiya Garhi
15. Pura Gaout Pohila Bohag
16. Pranadhika
17. Hahi AAru Chokulu
18. Mriganabhi
19. Arihona
20. Hahire Chokulu Dhaki
21. Ekhon Nilikha Chithi
22. Alankar
23. Chai aaru Firingani

He wrote two thousand short stories in the Assamese Language.

C) Poetry books

1. Shakhar(স্বাক্ষৰ)
2. Chandahin Chanda (ছন্দহীন ছন্দ)
3. Beduin (বেদুইন)

D) Song Books

1. Tumar Kantho Mor Kotha (তোমাৰ কণ্ঠ মোৰ কথা )

External links

• Renowned Litterateur Syed Abdul Malik Remembered Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
• Syed Abdul Malik's Novel Surujmukhir Sopno on YouTube