Sheikh Azizur Rahman (; 2 January 1917 – 14 May 1998), known as Shawkat Osman (), was a Bangladeshi novelist and short story writer. He won the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1962, the Ekushey Padak in 1983 and the Independence Day Award in 1997.

Early life and education

Shawkat Osman was born as Sheikh Azizur Rahman on 2 January 1917 to Sheikh Muhammad Yahya and Guljan Begum. He belonged to a Bengali Muslim Sheikh family from the village of SabalSinghapur, Hugli, West Bengal (সবল সিংহপুর, হুগলি, পশ্চিমবঙ্গ). He began his education at the local maktab and then enrolled at the Calcutta Alia Madrasa. However, he later transferred to the St. Xavier's College of the University of Calcutta where he received his BA in politics in 1938, and MA in Bengali in 1941.

Career

He was a Professor by profession. Osman migrated to Chittagong, East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) after the partition of Bengal in 1947. He started teaching at Chittagong Commerce College. He then served as a faculty member at Dhaka College during 1959–1972.

Literature

Osman's first prominent novel was Janani, a portrait of the disintegration of a family because of the rural and urban division. In Kritadasher Hashi (Laugh of a Slave), Osman explored the darkness of contemporary politics and reality of dictatorship.

Family

Osman's son Yeafesh Osman is the incumbent Science and Technology minister of Bangladesh.

Awards

• Bangla Academy Literary Award (1962)

• Adamjee Literary Award (1966)

• President Award (1967)

• Ekushey Padak (1983)

• Mahbubullah Foundation Prize (1983)

• Muktadhara Literary Award (1991)

• Independence Day Award (1997)

Literary works

1. Novels

   Short stories

   Dramas

   Memoires

2. Kalratri Khandachitra (1986)

3. Swajan Sangram (1986)

4. Children literature

   Translation

   Editor

Non-fiction

References