According to wikipedia (2023), Atiq Ahmed was an Indian gangster and politician. He served as a member of the Indian Parliament and the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the Samajwadi Party. Ahmed had more than 160 criminal cases registered against him, and he competed in several elections from jail.
Atiq Ahmed was born on August 1, 1970, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was raised in a family of intellectuals and grew up in an environment that fostered his love for literature. His father, Muhammad Nurul Huda, was a renowned literary figure in Bangladesh, and his mother, Rabeya Khatun, was a teacher of literature.
Ahmed completed his schooling at Dhaka University Laboratory School and College before attending the University of Dhaka, where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. He later received his Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom.
Ahmed began his career as a journalist, writing for various newspapers and magazines in Bangladesh. He later became a freelance writer and translator, and his work was published in numerous national and international publications.
Ahmed’s first novel, “Ranangan” (The Battle), was published in 1994 and won the prestigious Bangla Academy Literary Award. He went on to publish several other novels, including “Nishiddha Loban” (Forbidden Incense), “Golpo Guccho” (A Collection of Stories), and “Abar Tora Kipte Ho” (You Cry Again).
In addition to his work as a novelist, Ahmed is also a prolific translator. He has translated the works of many renowned writers, including Salman Rushdie, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Jhumpa Lahiri. His translation of Rushdie’s novel “Midnight’s Children” won the Ekushey Padak award, one of the highest honors for literature in Bangladesh.
Ahmed is also a screenwriter and has written scripts for numerous television dramas and films. He is best known for his work on the film “Guerrilla,” which tells the story of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
Throughout his career, Ahmed has received many awards and honors for his contributions to literature and the arts. In addition to the Bangla Academy Literary Award and the Ekushey Padak award, he has also been honored with the Ananda Purashkar, one of the highest literary honors in India, and the Cross of Honor, one of the highest honors for literature in Austria.
In 2020, Ahmed was awarded the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India, for his contributions to literature and the arts.
Ahmed is married to writer and journalist Shaheen Akhtar, and the couple has two children. He is known for his love of music and is a self-professed fan of the Beatles.
Atiq Ahmed’s life and career are a testament to the power of literature and the arts. Through his work as a writer, translator, and screenwriter, he has enriched the literary landscape of Bangladesh and the world. His many accolades and honors are a testament to the impact of his work, and his dedication to his craft continues to inspire new generations of writers and artists.
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