My uncle, Gazi Shahabuddin Ahmed, who has died aged 78 of a heart attack, was the founder and editor of one of Bangladesh’s most important literary publications, Sachitra Shandhani, which he set up in 1956 and ran, with one interruption, until 1996.
Shahabuddin was born in Dhaka, in what was then British India, as the eldest son of 11 children of Gazi Shamsuddin Ahmed, a superintendent of police, and Gazi Rafia Khatun, an entrepreneur. From childhood he was a voracious reader and had a keen interest in the aesthetics behind publications. While studying at Notre Dame college in Dhaka he decided to start an arts magazine, and, after much fundraising activity with friends, began publishing and editing Sachitra Shandhani in 1956, at the age of 17. Shahabuddin released 1,000 copies of the first issue and by 10am on the morning of publication all were sold.
The monthly magazine became the centre of a movement of sorts, and proved to be a powerful platform for prose writers, poets, artists and movie makers. Years ahead of its time, with elegant pages dedicated to movies, literature, humour and satire, it became part of the cultural world of Bengalis in what by then had become East Pakistan. It also helped build a cultural front that would later put up strong resistance to the exploitative reign of Pakistani rulers.
Some of the best literary works by the finest regional authors were first published in Sachitra Shandhani, including Jahanara Imam’s wartime journal, Ekattorer Dinguli, which was produced in serial form. Subsequently that work was brought together and published as a book by Shahabuddin’s publishing house, Sandhani Prokashoni, which also printed the works of other celebrated writers of Bangladesh and India.
As an editor, Shahabuddin was fearless, ready to stand by his writers and to face any political fall-out related to their work. Although publication of Sachitra Shandhani ended in 1970, it was relaunched as a weekly in 1977, a move that sealed its status as the mouthpiece for literary minds of the newly sovereign Bangladesh.
Shahabuddin was a quiet person, but once you got to know him he was hard to forget. He had a great sense of humour and always savoured good food, music and company. He was an avid Guardian reader, praising the newspaper for what he saw as its refreshing and laudably balanced journalism and taking it daily in Dhaka for many years. Deeply held beliefs about the need to promote literature and culture guided his personal and professional life, and to the end he found pleasure in encouraging literary pursuits among young people. He never cared much for worldly matters, but opened horizons for a whole generation.
He is survived by his wife, Bithi, whom he married in 1964, a son and daughter, Sharmeen and Shoubhro, five grandchildren and nine siblings.
