Syed Waliullah

Syed Waliullah (সৈয়দ ওয়ালিউল্লাহ) (1922-1971) was a Bangladeshi novelist, short-story writer and playwright. He is most well known in Bangla literature for his first novel, "Lalsalu" (translated as "Tree Without Roots", though it literally means "Red cloth").

Novels

Waliullah is often considered the pioneer of existential analysis of the characters psyche in the literature of Bangladesh. The last two of his three novels, specially "Kando Nadi Kando", show his mastery in revealing the inner depths of his characters. However, his most famous work remains "Lalsalu", some would argue because of its relative simplicity.

Lalsalu tells the story of Majid, a poor man from a devout muslim background. Majid comes to a remote village. He declares an old grave to be the "majar" (mausoleum) that of a "pir" (a Muslim saint), covers it with the traditional red cloth used for masoleums, and establishes his stronghold on the life of the people using the reflected power on him of the supposed saint. The novel shows his struggle with other religious figures trying to establish dominance, the undercurrent of pagan ideas among the people, and his own weaknesses. He is finally outdone by his second wife, the young and vigorous Jamila. Jamila, ever disrespectful, dies after Majid keeps her tied all night near the "majar". Majid comes to find her dead, but her feet irreverently touching the "majar".

"Lalsalu" was recently filmed by Tanvir Mokammel.

Works

Novels

* Lalsalu (Tree without roots), 1948
* Chander Amaboshay (Dark moon), 1964
* Kando Nadi Kando (Cry, o river), 1968

Plays

* Bahipir (1960)
* Tarangabhanga (1964)
* Sudanga (1964)

hort Story Collection

* Nayanchara (1951)
* Dui Tir O Anyanya Galpa

External links

* [http://www.bangladeshinovels.com/Syed_Waliullah.html A Critique on His Novels]
* [http://banglapedia.org/HT/W_0016.htm Banglapedia article]
* [http://www.bangladeshinovels.com/Syed_Waliullah.pdf A Bangal Language Critiue on Waliullah's Novels]