Murtaja Baseer in a wide range.We will not forget this virtue of aesthetics. Such a genius is not born all the time. He is our pride and arrogance.
The scope of his work is so wide that in one way or another we can feel his presence through work. We lost him in the crisis. I have deep respect for him. I can say without hesitation that this man with a colorful life will shine in the mirror of our memory. I think the government also needs to take special initiative to preserve his memory.
Born on 18 August 1932, died on 15 August 2020. During this long period, Murtaja Baseer, the treasure of our pride, a man of very large size, possessed a multi-dimensional industry, was gradually developed. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was one of our most talented people.
It is very difficult for me to describe how many times I stopped writing about Professor Anisuzzaman at the same time, how I managed to finish writing with tears in my eyes. Today I sat down to write about Murtaja Baseer but I fell into the same situation. I too am now numb with the weight of age.
Murtaja Baseer has left us in his old age. But even if some death or passing away is a hundred years old, it seems like nothing. He needed more of the country-society.
On August 15 (our National Day of Mourning) 2020, he passed away forever. Two days later was his 7th birthday. A few days ago, I heard about various complex symptoms of the lungs. There were also complications in the kidneys. In the end he was attacked by Corona. The Corona disaster has not only tarnished the world image, it has also created mountains of pain.
Murtaja Baseer has won many medals, awards and honors including Ekushey Padak and Swadhinata Puraskar. The limits of his fame as a poet and researcher are no less wide. Despite his age, his voice was youthful. Whose voice was really unique. Many have already said that his life philosophy should be followed. Known as the screenwriter of stories, novels, poems, films, I have heard and learned a lot about his creative role even in the set design of plays.
One of my many memories surrounding him is very much remembered at the moment. Many previous events. I was then involved in teaching at Rajshahi University. At that time our Vice Chancellor was Khan Sarwar Murshid. Next to the Shaheed Minar of Rajshahi University, there is a pillar like ‘Eiffel Tower’. There is a wall behind it. It is surrounded by gardens and some relics of the liberation war.
Many have said that he is one of the pioneers of modern fine arts or art. According to media sources, a fund will be set up in the Asiatic Society on behalf of the family to protect his memory. They are also considering financial assistance for poor and meritorious students of fine arts. Undoubtedly, all this is a good initiative and thought. Murtaja Baseer will live among us for his deeds.
There is no doubt about it. We will not forget this virtue of aesthetics. Such a genius is not born all the time. He is our pride and arrogance. The scope of his work is so wide that in one way or another we can feel his presence through work. We lost him in the crisis. I have deep respect for him.
I can say without hesitation that this man with a colorful life will shine in the mirror of our memory. I think the government also needs to take special initiative to preserve his memory. I hope that the responsible quarters of the government will be active in this regard.
Hasan Azizul Haque
Educator and novelist
