Syed Abdul Malik, who has been a repository of Assamese literature with his unique literary collection, is one of the best prose writers and unique writers of Assamese literature. Importantly, Sudhakanth Dr° Bhupen Hazarika called Syed Abdul Malik the owner of Assamese literature. Syed Abdul Malik was a storyteller, playwright, novelist and poet.
Biography Of Syed Abdul Malik
| Name | Syed Abdul Malik[1] |
| Date of Birth | January 15, 1919 |
| Place of Birth | Naharani, Golaghat, Assam |
| Father’s Name | Syed Rahmat Ali |
| Mother’s Name | Syeda Lutfu Nisa |
| Education | 1. Naharani Lower Foundation School 2. Dergaon Medium School 3. Jorhat Government High School 4. Jorhat College 5. Cotton College 6. Guwahati University |
| Award Honours | 1. Sahitya Akademi Award (1972) 2. Padma Shri Samman (1984) 3. D. Lit Honour from Dibrugarh University (1988) 4. Padma Bhushan Samman (1992) 5. Assam Valley Literature Award (1994) 6. Azanpir Award (1995) 7. Shankardev Award (1995) 8. Title of Sahityacharyya (1997) 9. Fellowship of Sahitya Akademi (1999) |
| Death | December 20, 2000. |
Early Life of Syed Abdul Malik
Syed Abdul Malik’s place in the history of modern Assamese fiction is unique. Syed Abdul Malik was born on January 15, 1919 in Naharani village of Golaghat district. His father’s name is Syed Rahmat Ali and his mother’s name is Syeda Lutfu Nisa.
Syed Abdul Malik, who started his formal education at Naharani Lower Basic School, enrolled in Dergaon Medium School after getting his primary scholarship. He later passed the entrance examination from Jorhat Government High School in 1937 and joined Jorhat College and passed the IA examination in 1939 from Jorhat College. Abdul Malik later enrolled in Cotton College after passing the IA exam with distinction and graduated with honors in English in 1941 from Cotton College. After graduating, he received his Master’s degree in Assamese subjects from Guwahati University in 1951.
Abdul Malik started his career as sub inspector of excise department in 1942. Malik who worked for the army for a few days later served in Jorhat college in 1946 as a lecturer in Parsi language. Moreover, Malik worked as a teacher at Dhekiyal High School in Golaghat and Kuralguri High School. He later retired from this college in 1976 after joining Jorhat Jagannath Baruah College as a lecturer in 1951.
Syed Abdul Malik, who was termed as the crownless emperor of Assamese literature, practiced literature as a school student. Malik’s first poem, who use to write poetry since his childhood, was first published in 1936 in a magazine of Jorhat Government High School named “Jyoti.” Later, a collection of five of his poems was published. The first collection of poems published by Abdul Malik was “Bedouin” published in 1948. Apart from this, his other collections of poems are: ʼ published in 1965 Shakhar, Sondohin sondo aru Tumar kotha.
Also Read : Biography of Mahim Bora
Literary Works
It may be recalled that Malik, who wrote more than two thousand short stories, was particularly impressed by Anton Chekov of Russia and Guy de Maupassant of the French country in writing short stories. Some of his collection of notable short stories are: Parashmoni (1986), Ronga gora (1943), Moroha Papori (1954), Shikhare Shikhare (1963), Andhakup (1977). Apart from this, his other short stories are: Tinisokia Gari, Hahi Aru Sokulu, Bibhatha Bedana, Trishul, Awarta, Arihana, Hill Aru Hikha, Soi Number Prasnar Uttar, Pura Gaont Pohila Bohag, Hahire Sokulu Dhaki, Asomia Premor Galpa etc.
Abdul Malik is the man who has written about 72 novels and became the highest novel writer in the field of modern Assamese prose literature. The novels he wrote are – Lassagu (First published in 1945-46 in the journal ‘Banhi’, later Umola Ghoror Dhemali Namere published in print size in 1964), Banjui (1942), Rathar Chakari Ghure (1958), Tirthajatri (1950), Kavitar Nam Lava (1956), Sobighar (1958), Matir Saki (1959), Adharshila (1960), Jia Jurir Ghat (1960), Onyo Akakh Onyo Tora (1962), Rupatirthar Yatri (1963), Rajanigandhar Sokulo (1964), Rupatirthar Jatri ( Part II, 1965), Aghari Atmar Kahini (1969) etc.
Apart from stories, novels, poems, drama literature was also discussed by Syed Abdul Malik. Abdul Malik’s notable plays, which played an important role in enriching Assamese drama literature by composing about 21 plays, are: Rajdruhi (1957), Mokora Jal (1964), Andhokup (1977). Moreover, the radio plays written by Abdul Malik are: Huror Debota (Published 1948), Adha Oka Sobi (Published 1952) etc.
In addition, Malik has written 2 comic books, 3 travelogues, 9 research books, 3 autobiographies, 5 children’s books and made the storehouse of Assamese literature rich.
Among the biography Abdul Malik’s notable book is- “The life story of Hazrat Mohammad.” In addition, Abdul Malik’s visionary, deeply thoughtful personality is reflected in Sufi and Sufism articles as well as one of his notable research books, “Jikir and Zari.” ‘Raijor Mukhor Maat‘ is another notable book by Abdul Malik.
Abdul Malik, who served as a member of the Sahitya Akademi Council from 1963 to 1969, also served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Assam Sahitya Sabha in 1969. Importantly, Abdul Malik, who was also associated with the Bharatiya Gana Natya Sangha and the Communist Movement, was elected as a Rajya Sabha MP in 1983. He also decorated the president’s seat of the Abhayapuri session of the Assam Sahitya Sabha in 1977.
Award Honours
Syed Abdul Malik, a brilliant astrologer in the literary world of Assam, won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 for his novel Aghari Atmar Kahini. Abdul Malik, who made a remarkable contribution to the Assamese literary world, was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1984 and the Padma Bhushan of the Government of India in 1992. Dibrugarh University conferred the title of D. Litt to Syed Abdul Malik in 1988. Abdul Malik won the Assam Valley Literature Award in 1994. He also received the Azanpir Award and Shankardev Award of the Government of Assam in 1995, the literary title of Assam Sahitya Sabha in 1997, the fellowship of the Sahitya Akademi in 1999.
Conclusion
Syed Abdul Malik who made the Assamese literature rich and the man who made an outstanding contribution to Assamese literature died on December 20, 2000. He is the pride and the path of every Assamese and the new generations.
FAQ
1. When and where was Syed Abdul Malik born?
Ans: He was born in 15 January 1919, at Naharani, Golaghat, Assam.
2. Who is Syed Abdul Malik?
Ans: Syed Abdul Malik was a notable writer of Assamese literature, from the village of Naharani in Golaghat. Assam.
3. Who wrote Aghari Atmar Kahini?
Ans: Syed Abdul Malik.
4. When did Syed Abdul Malik won Sahitya Akademi Award?
Ans: Abdul Malik won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 for his novel Aghari Atmar Kahini.
5. When did Abdul Malik won Padma Shri Award?
Ans: Abdul Malik was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1984.
6. When did Syed Abdul Malik won Padma Bhushan Award?
Ans: He won Padma Bhushan award in 1992.
7. Name some of the literary works wrote by Syed Abdul Malik?
Ans: Rathar Chakari Ghure (1958), Tirthajatri (1950), Kavitar Nam Lava (1956), Sobighar (1958), Matir Saki (1959), Adharshila (1960), Jia Jurir Ghat (1960), Onyo Akakh Onyo Tora (1962), Rupatirthar Yatri (1963), Rajanigandhar Sokulo (1964), Rupatirthar Jatri ( Part II, 1965), Aghari Atmar Kahini (1969) etc.
8. When did Syed Abdul Malik died?
Ans: Syed Abdul Malik died on December 20, 2000.
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