Lighting lamps with Sankar
"I tried my hand at everything, from mathematics to guarding shoes, from painting to Pitman's shorthand, but nothing quite seemed to be my calling," remarked Sankar, wryly recalling his struggle to success. But at the young age of 21 when he took up his pen to write, words flowed effortlessly and the rest, as they say, is history. Writer Mani Shankar Mukherji, who was in Dhaka recently on an invitation by Independent University, Bangladesh, was speaking at a programme hosted by The Reading Circle and the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Indian High Commission, on October 22 at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Gulshan. It was a rare treat for literature lovers as this was the first time the famous writer, better known simply as Sankar, was visiting Bangladesh, despite an avid fan following in the country. Professor Niaz Zaman introduced The Reading Circle to the audience, relating how they had in the past initiated visits of other authors from abroad like Amitav Ghosh and William Dalrymple. She thanked Independent University, Bangladesh for its collaboration in bringing Sankar to Dhaka, TRC member Asfa Hussain for her tireless efforts in liaising with the writer, and the Indian High Commission for its cordial cooperation. The Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Mr Rajeet Mitter, welcomed the audience to the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre and looked forward to other similar literary collaborations in future. The chief guest on the occasion, Minister for Information and Culture Abul Kalam Azad, welcomed the writer and thanked TRC for arranging the visit. In his speech he noted that such programmes could facilitate regional peace and foster better relations between the two countries. He informed the audience that Bangladesh and India would be jointly celebrating Tagore's 150th birth anniversary in the coming year. Ambassador Mahboob Alam, member TRC, described how he had first become acquainted with the writer when, as Third Secretary in the Pakistan High Commission in Italy, he had been requested to help translate the dialogue of a Bengali movie based on one of Sankar's novels. He had subsequently met him on his posting in Kolkata as Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh. He said that Sankar's writings were an immediate success and just as some people loved him instantly, there were of course the envious ones who wrote him off as a passing fancy whose popularity would fade as fast as it appeared. Thankfully, Sankar proved them very wrong. The moderator of the programme, Prof. Syed Manzoorul Islam, spoke of the universal appeal of Sankar, saying that he did not write just for the middle class. There was a liveliness in Sankar's works that made them perfect for films, and easy for directors. Syed Manzoorul Islam said that it was an honour that Sankar had come to Bangladesh for the first time after so many years. He mentioned the obstacles to such exchanges. He appealed to the Indian High Commission to facilitate easier visa processes, particularly for academics, literary and cultural persons. Then it was Sankar's turn to speak. His face radiating a smile, Sankar said how grateful he was to be able to come to Dhaka and was touched by the love and warmth that was accorded to him here. He spoke at length on how he had struggled in his early years and how the words of an Englishman who had called him "exceptional" became a driving force in his life. His mother's faith in him, despite all odds, had also been an inspiration in pushing him towards achievement. He said that every individual had a lamp burning inside him or her. A good writer lights that lamp. He thanked The Reading Circle for giving him the opportunity to visit Bangladesh. The writer Mahbub Talukdar read out an excerpt from the original Chowringhee, while Farida Shaikh and Niaz Zaman read out passages from its recent translation. Others who spoke on the occasion included Ankan Banerjee, Director, Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Shahruk Rahman and Asfa Hussain.
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