(From left) Ataus Samad, Masud Ahmed, Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui and Dr. Karunamaya Goswami at the book launchPhoto: STAR

“Liberation War has been featured in our poetry, short stories and novels over the last three decades,” said educationist Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui at the launching programme of Masud Ahmed's Liberation War-based novel Chaitrapaban O Digantarekha. The programme was held at Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium, National Museum recently.
Professor Siddiqui was the chief guest at the programme. He also said, Masud Ahmed's novel stands out because of its humanist point of view. He has delved into both the Bengali and Pakistani psyche, points of view and dilemmas during the war.
Among others, renowned researcher and music exponent Dr. Karunamaya Goswami; eminent journalist and editor of the weekly Ekhon, Ataus Samad; dramatist Shahidul Haq Khan; Dr. Mohammad Abdul Hye and Masud Ahmed spoke at the programme.
Dr. Karunamaya Goswami remarked that, Masud Ahmed's novel is a fictional approach to a historic event. The Liberation War itself plays the dominating role throughout the book.
Ataus Samad said, usually war-based novels are quite extensive but the writer has effectively managed to make his point within limited paged.
Chaitrapaban O Digantarekha is Masud Ahmed's first novel and has been published by Mowla Brothers. His other works include Neel Shaluker Jhiley, Aheer Bhairo and Gauri O Ekush Degree Uttar Okkhangsho -- all three, collections of short stories.
Masud Ahmed was born in Sarishabari, Jamalpur district in 1955. He did his Bachelors and Masters in English Language and Literature from Dhaka University. At present, Ahmed is the managing director of Bangladesh Freedom-fighter Welfare Trust. Ahmed is a recipient of the 'Sreshtha Shangskriti Shebi-2005' award given by Natya Shabha.