Akhteruzzaman Elias

Akhteruzzaman Elias (Bengali: আখতারুজ্জামান ইলিয়াস; 12 February 1943 – 4 January 1997) distinguished himself as a Bangladeshi novelist and short story writer. Despite his relatively limited output of two novels, critical evaluation positions Elias prominently "in the pantheon of great Bengali novelists." Elias ascended to prominence as a potent short-story writer during the 1960s. His inaugural novel, "Chilekothar Sepai," was published in 1987, followed by his second and final work, "Khwabnama," in 1996, shortly before his demise due to cancer on 4 January 1997.

Early life and education
Elias took his birth at the domicile of his maternal uncle in Gotia village within the Gaibandha District. The ancestral abode of Elias was situated in Chelopara, proximate to Bogra. His father, Badiuzzaman Muhammad Elias, held the position of a member in the East Bengal Provincial Assembly and served as the Parliamentary Secretary of the Muslim League. Elias' mother bore the name Mariam Elias.

Elias successfully completed his Matriculation from Bogra Zilla School in 1958, proceeded to attain his Intermediate qualification from Dhaka College in 1960, and culminated his academic pursuits with a BA (Hons) and MA from the University of Dhaka in 1964.

Career
Elias embarked upon his professional journey as a lecturer at Jagannath College, maintaining this position until 1983. Subsequently, he assumed various roles including Deputy Director at the Directorate of Primary Education, Vice-Principal at Music College, and Professor as well as Head of the Department of Bengali at Dhaka College.

Death
On January 13, 1996, Elias received a diagnosis of cancer. The belated recognition of the ailment contributed to the deterioration of his health. Subsequently, on March 20 of the same year, due to the cancer's impact, his right leg necessitated amputation. Enduring several days of distress, he ultimately succumbed on January 4, 1997, at Dhaka Community Hospital in Dhaka.

Works
Elias is noted for prioritizing the quality, rather than the quantity, of his literary productions. His oeuvre encompasses themes that delve into the historical, cultural, political, economic, impoverished, exploitative, and deprived facets of the nation. It is asserted that he endeavored to comprehend the entirety of human existence through the exploration of these themes. Elias has garnered commendation for his adept portrayal of nuanced psychological inclinations.

The following enumerates his noteworthy literary contributions.

Novels


 * Chilekothar Sepai /চিলেকোঠার সেপাই (The Soldier in the Attic) (1987) - details the psychological journey of a man during the turbulent period of the mass uprisings of 1969, just prior to Bangladeshi independence in 1971. This novel also contains what is arguably the most authentic description of life in Puran Dhaka, the old and distinctive part of Dhaka.
 * Khoabnama/খোয়াবনামা (The Saga of Dreams) (1996) - Khoabnama depicts the socio-political scene in rural pre-partition Bangladesh.

Short story collections


 * Dojokher Om/ দোজখের ওম (The Warmth of Hell)
 * Dudhbhate Utpat/ দুধভাতে উৎপাত (No Peace in Milk and Rice)
 * Onno Ghore Onno Shor/ অন্য ঘরে অন্য স্বর (Another Tune in Another Room)
 * Khoari/ খোয়ারি (Hangover)
 * Jal Shopno, Shopner Jal/ জাল স্বপ্ন, স্বপ্নের জাল (Fake Dream, Illusion of Dream)

Essay collections


 * Shongskritir Bhanga Shetu/ সংস্কৃতির ভাঙা সেতু (Broken Bridge of Culture)

Awards

 * 1977: Humayun Kabir Smrti Puraskar
 * 1983: Bangla Academy Literary Award in Literature
 * 1987: Alaol Sahitya Puraskar - Chilekothar Sepai
 * 1996: Ananda Puraskar - Khwabnama
 * 1996: Saadat Ali Akhand Puraskar - Khwabnama
 * 1996: Kazi Mahbubullah Gold Medal - Khwabnama
 * 1999: Ekushey Padak (posthumous)