Syed Ali Ahsan

Syed Ali Ahsan (1922-2002) is one of the most prominent literary personalities of our nation. As a poet, author, critic and scholar, his contribution to Bengali literature is immensely diversified. We remember him on his 92nd birth anniversary.

Syed Ali Ahsan has authored more than 30 books on poetry, criticism, religion, translation and prose.
His anthology “Eksho Shondhay Boshonto” is considered to be one his best books.
He has edited and published Padmabati of Alaol, one of the best specimens of Bengali literature from the middle age
Ahsan's book Rabindranath: Kabya Bicharer Bhumika is one of the best analyses on Tagores literary works
He has also translated Sir Muhammad Iqbal's poetry in Bengali

Ahsan was the vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar and Rajshahi University
Ahsan was renowned as an efficient Director General of Bangla Academy
From 1976-1982 he was one of advisers of Nobel Prize Committee for Literature
He participated during the liberation and worked for Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendro

Ahsan was given the Bangla Academy Award (1968) and Ekushey Padak (1982), two highest recognitions on Bengali literature
He also achieved Independence award in 1987, the highest civilian award conferred by Bangladesh government
He became the national professor of Bangladesh in 1989
This great literary personality died on June 25, 2002

Syed Ali Ahsan was born in the village of Alokdia of Magura district on 26 March 1922
Ahsan completed his graduation from the English department of Dhaka University
Despite being a student of English literature, Ahsan was well known for his outstanding knowledge of Bengali literature
Ahsan was appointed a teacher of Bengali department of Dhaka University