Eminent writer Imdadul Haq Milan's book ‘Selected Short Stories', a collection of English translations, has recently been released.
The book published by Hornbill Press is indeed an ensemble of short stories curated from his prolific treasure trove of the same.
Poet Moulinath Goswami translated the 158-page book that contains 10 short stories. Those are - When The Tides Come, Days Of Starvation, Chronicle of Sonadas, The Night The Leader Was Killed, Scent of Cardamom, Momin Sadhu’s Mumbo Jumbo, Just For A Smile, A Letter From The King, Meeting Mother and After Partition.
This collection endeavors to encompass the entire milieu of his writings – quintessential Bangladesh, resonant with the fragrance of simple existence of humankind, be it in a rural or in an urban backdrop.
The stories touch the beats of the discerning heart through the varied flavors of emotion, passion, compassion and human helplessness that is so signature of Imdadul Haq Milan.
In the book, the translator says: 'I have tried my best to imbibe in the English translations the riverine flavour of Bangladesh, its picturesque milieu so vividly and profoundly captured by the meticulous pen of Imdadul Haq Milan. My efforts would be rewarded if readers take to heart this English collection with the same fondness which they have so long reserved for Imdadul Haq Milan’s Bengali short stories."
Imdadul Haq Milan, a Bangladeshi novelist and Editor-In-Chief of the daily Kaler Kantho, was born on September 8, 1955 in Bikrampur of the then Dhaka district. His first story ' Bondhu ' was published in 1973. The first novel 'Jabojjibon' was serially published in the Uttaradhikar magazine of the Bangla Academy in 1976.
He was honoured with many awards at home and abroad in his large literary life. In 2019, he received Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh. Imdadul Haq Milan was also awarded with Bangla Academy Award. In 2012, he received the IIPM Surma Chowdhury Smriti International Literary Award of India for his novel ‘Noorjahan’.
About Moulinath Goswami: He writes poetry in Bengali, his mother tongue, as well as in English. Though preliminary a poet, he writes short stories as well, and does translations in Bengali and English. He contributes regularly to the prominent magazines and periodicals of West Bengal, and Bangladesh too.
BDST: 1942 HRS, MAY 20, 2023
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