Novelist Bashir Al Helal Is No More

Renowned novelist, researcher, former director Bangla Academy and fellow Bashir Al Helal died in his home in Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Tuesday. He was 85.

Bashir Al Helal is survived by his son and daughter. He was born on January 6, 1936, in Murshidabad, British India. He completed in education Rajshahi and Kolkata. He started his professional life in a newspaper in Kolkata.

He joined Bangla Academy as assistant-principal of the translation department in 1967. He worked in different departments of the academy and retired from the academy in 1994 as a director.

Bashir Al Helal was an eminent translator, children’s literature writer, essayist and researcher. Some of his major works are, namely, Kalo Ilish, Anarasher Hashi, Kandari, Kishor Bangla Uccharon Manjari, Bangla Bhashar Nanan Bibechana, Bangla Gadya, Amader Kabita, Bhasha Andoloner Shei Mohonay, Principal Ibrahim Kha, Belgrader Dak, Tader Shristhir Path, Ghritakumari, Jiboner Shukh, Shesh Panpatra, Nurjahander Madhumash, Shishirer Desh Obhijan and others.

He also wrote two quintessential titles namely, Bhasha Andoloner Itihash and Bangla Academ-er Itihash. He also translated the Hamoodur Rahman Commission report on the 1971 genocide from Urdu.

Bashir Al Helal received Alaol Literary award in 1991 and Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1993.

Bangla Academy paid tribute to Bashir Al Helal at a public mourning programme held on its premises at 5:00pm on Tuesday.