Chhappanno Hajar Borgomail (Bengali: ছাপ্পান্নো হাজার বর্গমাইল, lit. 'Fifty six thousand square miles') is a 1994 Bangladeshi Bengali-language novel written by Bangladeshi author Humayun Azad.[2] It was the first published novel written by the author.[3][4] The novel was about 1980's decade's Bangladesh when the country faced social changes during Hussain Muhammad Ershad's rule. The main protagonist character of this novel is Rashed who teaches in Dhaka University; the character is believed to be inspired from Humayun Azad's own character who hated military rule, dictatorial governance and religious fundamentalism. Humayun Azad metaphorically indicated Hussain Muhammad Ershad by creating the fictitious character 'General Uddin Mohammad'. The basic story of the novel is based on Humayun Azad's own experiences.[5] The novel is considered one of the major works of Humayun Azad.[6] Azad dedicated the novel to the lead character of this novel - Rashed, which is also the nickname of his father.[7]
 | |
| Author | Humayun Azad |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Samar Majumdar |
| Language | Bengali |
| Subject | Martial law in Bangladesh, 1982 Bangladesh coup d'état |
| Genre | Novel |
| Set in | 1980's decade's Bangladesh |
| Publisher | Agamee Prakashani |
Publication date | February 1994 |
| Publication place | Bangladesh |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 168[1] |
| ISBN | 978-9840417179 |
| OCLC | 60043495 |
Plot summary
editThe novel starts with Rashed's only daughter Mridu's school going incident; the girl faces problem when army troops stop her in road from going to school. Rashed's wife name is Mumtaz who listens radio announcement that martial law has been imposed all over the country. Later Rashed watches television with her daughter that the army general Uddin Mohammad has come in power.
Rashed later imagines his childhood life when Bangladesh was part of Pakistan and in 1958 when General Ayub Khan imposed martial law.
Social changes come in Bangladesh after General Uddin Mohammad imposes martial law; Rashed observes that society is becoming more conservative, girls and women are losing their freedom and also the society is becoming religious gradually.
Characters
edit- Rashed - The main protagonist of the novel, teaches in Dhaka University
- Mumtaz - Rashed's wife
- Mridu - Rashed's daughter
- Abdel - Notorious rich businessman
- Uddin Mohammad - The general who imposes martial law
- Lily - A young woman who is a television host
- Selima - A highly educated woman who becomes religious
References
edit- ^ ছাপ্পান্নো হাজার বর্গমাইল. Rokomari.com.
- ^ '৫৬ হাজার বর্গমাইল'. Dainik Azadi (in Bengali). 14 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
- ^ Gourab Chakma (22 April 2017). "Recalling Humayun Azad, and his works". The Daily Observer.
- ^ বহুমাত্রিক লেখক হুমায়ুন আজাদ. Banglanews24.com. 28 April 2016.
- ^ Rifat Munim (24 November 2015). "Refusing to succumb to fear". The Daily Star.
- ^ "Humayun Azad's 10th death anniversary today". newsnextbd.com. 12 August 2014.
- ^ Azad, Humayun (1994). ছাপ্পান্নো হাজার বর্গমাইল [Fifty six thousand square miles] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Agamee Prakashani. OCLC 60043495.