I loved four women: Muhammad Nurul Huda

Poem is the base line of eminent writer Muhammad Nurul Huda. But he has equal walking in the field of translation and literature. More than 100 books he has written till now. His poems were published in different languages.

 

He was awarded more than 50 awards for special contribution in the literature. The mentionable prizes were Alaol Prize in 1983, Bangla Academy Sahittaya Puruskar in 1988, Turkish President Award in 1996, Nazrul Puruskar in 1999 at Kolkata, Rupashi Bangla Jibanananda Puruskar in 2010 at Kolakata and Karuvash Binoy Majumder Kabita Puruskar in 2011 in Kolkata etc.  On September 30, 1948 Muhammad Nurul Huda was born at village Pokkhali under Cox’s Bazaar district. We are wishing to him especially on his birth day.  Muhammad Nurul Huda was interviewed by Jabbar Al Nayeem. The main essence of the interview was been placed here for the valued readers of Risingbd.

Jabbar Al Nayeem: A poet is creature of new words. I like to mean that by addition, edition or by creating a poet makes the literature buttress. In this position, dictionaries are the abode of new words. I like to know between poet and words, who is dependent upon whom?

Muhammad Nurul Huda: It is very nice and reflective question indeed. A new and influential poet is able to change a language pattern of any nation. As it is like the melody—if you want to renew any language, then need to learn previous and old words, is not it? If I don’t know the old words, how would I be able to build new words? As for example, can I make any new format of word `I’? I cannot because I am always I. People can present a new explanation on change of social reality. The presentation of new format is deed of poet. It should be known that when a young poet introduce a new word in the dictionary, it is understandable that the mean of the word is new one. We can use another example here; you know meaning of word room means a place surrounded by four walls. Room means shelter or secured place.  But what is meaning of word Neer?  Nest? No. Neer means a shelter like eyes. That means due to proper utilization, it builds a new vocabulary. If you see the Bangla academy dictionary a word gives a meaning for past time, the same word present meaning for present time and in future it will represent  a new meaning of a same word. Beside, a new dictionary can be made for an individual poet. As for example, it may be Nazrul dictionary, where meaning of words of Nazrul will be mentioned there.

Jabbar Al Nayeem:  we like to know about your love and romance.

Muhammad Nurul Huda: Nah, We only had eye contact each other, nothing else. We could never talk with each other. She also did not speak anything. I too.  It was limited for the time. But in the days of my university I could not control. The new face appeared instead of that face that I loved first. I have seen like that silent girl in the university whom I lost.

Jabbar Al Nayeem:  Would you not tell her over your love?

Muhammad Nurul Huda: No, I could not say her- I love you. I liked her. I loved her in my core of mind. I told her the word at that time when it has not justification at all. As per Nazrul- Tomar Amar Sei Boriho, Ek jonomer Noi’. It is true.

Jabbar Al Nayeem: We like to know her name.

Muhammad Nurul Huda: They were totally four. That means my liking women. Surprisingly, they have nice similarity with each other. They had or have similarity in their habits and character. I don’t like to disclose their names right now because they are alive now. I don’t want that they face in trouble.

Jabbar Al Nayeem:  I would like to know about the fundamental literature and contemporary fundamental literature.

Muhammad Nurul Huda: According to me, we have no fundamental literature except the old literature. There is nothing as fundamental literature and fundamental people. From the Adam, love, pain, agonies are all the same till now. Just time and situation has changed. Previously, people were killed by stick and sword and now they are killed by fire arms, missile and technology, is not it?

The norms of people have been remaining as before. The change has come in us over the pattern and style of expression. Now who are writing poems, are reading any texts.  And when we are writing something, we are becoming influenced somehow.  I say it original write up what I write.  Currently, nothing is original. Even epic are not basic. Many writers written it and later a writer composed it. As for example, Homer has written a story. Nobody could write it before.  Someone might write Euclid by the shadow of Homer.  If the story runs decade after decade, the original would not be like that.  The difference is must. So, in conclusion, I can say that nothing could be written as original. It can be explained that only I can stand a new explanation according to my thinking.

Jabbar Al Nayeem: I would like to know about the critic literature and our literature critics.

Muhammad Nurul Huda: Due to inattentive readership, we say, I have seen your poem. We do not say, I have read your poem. If we go through, it is not seriously. It is not true reading. Beside, the poem of old poet will be in the first row, it’s not like that.  Rather we can expect the fresh poet should be given emphasized first. The nation can expect new voice through his pen. He has to have such ability. Beside the ability of judge the write up should be needed. Here number of both readers and critics are limited. As a result, number of critic literature is less. Talented critic is badly needed for development of literature.  We can name Buddhadev Basu and in our contemporary Abdul Mannan Sayed. I don’t like to mention names of current critics.

Risingbd/Dhaka/ Oct 3, 2014/ Tapos Roy/ H Kabir