One of the pioneers of Bengali literature and cinema is Zaheer Raihan. He once chose film as a medium to practice progressive and protest literature.
In whose camera, the struggle and bloody history of the liberation war of 1971 from Bayanar language movement came up on celluloid.
The birthday of this sun child of the nation is on Friday (August 19). He was born on this day in 1935 in Majupur village of Nawabpur union of Sonagaji upazila of Feni district.
On January 30, 1972, Zahir Raihan went missing while looking for his elder brother Shahidullah Qaiser in Mirpur. He did not return after that. Zaheer Raihan has made himself unique by having only 36 years of life. He will live brightly in the memory of Bengalis with his incomparable creativity.
Zahir Raihan received his Bachelor's degree in Bengal from Dhaka University in 1958. He started his career as a journalist. He made his film debut in 1957 as the assistant director of Jago Hua Savera. He made his debut as a director in 1961 by producing the movie Kakhno Asanei.
In 1968, Zaheer Raihan directed the colorful film Sangam. In the background of the language movement, he produced the timeless film 'Jiwan To Neya'. Satyajit Roy, Mrinal Sen, Tapan Sinha and Ritvik Ghatak among others praised the film.
Zaheer Raihan produced 'Stop Genocide' on the theme of freedom struggle. In this, he showed the world through the eyes of the camera the brutality of Pak forces on innocent Bengalis. This producer has also produced several famous movies like 'Sonar Kajal', 'Bahana', 'Behula' and 'Anoara'.
Zaheer Raihan has left his signature in literature not only in films. In 1955, his first story book 'Suryakmi' and in 1960 his first novel 'Shes Bickeler Mey' was published. His novels 'Ekushe February' and 'Arek Falgun' written in the background of the language movement are his outstanding works. Also notable books include- 'Hajar Saar Dare', 'And How Long', 'A Few Deaths', 'Ice Necked River', 'Thirst' etc.
In recognition of his career, Zahir Raihan has been awarded numerous honors including Bangla Academy Literary Award, Ekushe Padak, Independence Award, National Film Award, Adamji Literary Award, Nigar Award.
