Zahir Raihan was a Bangladeshi filmmaker, writer, and journalist born in 1935. He obtained a BA in Bengali from Dhaka University. As a professional, he worked as a journalist and editor before entering filmmaking. Some of his notable films include Kokhono Asheni (1961), Sangam (1964), and Jibon Theke Neya (1970). He disappeared in 1972 while searching for his brother during the Liberation War and is believed to have been killed. The document provides details about his early life, career, works including films, documentaries, novels, and short stories, and honors received before his disappearance.
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Zahir raihan
2. This presentation is owned by
ABUL KALAM AZAD PATWARY
Assistant teacher of Lakshmipur govt girls high
school(English)
“for class 9-10”
4. Early life and education
Zahir Raihan was born
on 19 August 1935, as
Mohammad Zahirullah,
in the village Majupur,
now in Feni District,
Bangladesh.After the
Partition of Bengal in
1947, he, along with his
parents, returned to his
village from Calcutta. He
obtained Bachelor of
Arts (Honours) in Bengali
from Dhaka University.
He had been married
twice, to Sumita Devi in
1961 and Shuchonda in
1968, both of whom
were film actresses.
5. Professional career
Zahir Raihan received his post graduate degree in Bengali
Literature. Along with literature works Raihan started
working as a journalist when he joined Juger Alo in
1950..Later he also worked in newspapers, namely
Khapchhara, Jantrik, and Cinema. He also worked as the
editor of Probaho in 1956. His first collection of short
stories, titled Suryagrahan, was published in 1955. He
worked as an assistant in the film Jago Huya Sabera in
1957. This was his first foot print in film. He also assisted
Salahuddin in the film Je Nodi Morupothay. The filmmaker
Ehtesham also took him for his movie A Desh Tomar Amar,
for which he wrote the title song. In 1960 he arrived as a
director with his film Kokhono Asheni which was released in
1961. In 1964, he made Pakistan's first colour movie,
Sangam, and completed his first CinemaScope movie,
Bahana, the following year.
6. He was an active worker of the Language Movement of
1952 and was present at the historical meeting of Amtala
on 21 February 1952. The effect of language movement was
so high on him that he made his legendary film "Jibon
Theke Neya" based on it. He also took part in the "Gano
Obhyuthyan" in 1969. In 1971 he joined in the Liberation
War of Bangladesh and created documentary films on this
great event.During the war of liberation Raihan went to
Kolkata where his film "Jibon Theke Neya" were shown. His
film was highly acclaimed by Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Tapan
Sinha and Ritwik Ghatak. Though he had his financial
problem going on that time, he gave all his money to the
Freedom Fighters trust that he got from the show.
7. Disappearance
Raihan disappeared on 30 January
1972 trying to locate his brother,
the famous writer Shahidullah
Kaiser, who was captured and
killed by the Pakistan army and/or
local collaborators during the final
days of the liberation war.It is
believed that he was killed with
many others when armed Bihari
collaborators and soldiers of
Pakistan Army in hiding fired on
them when they went to Mirpur, a
suburb of the capital city of Dhaka
that was one of few strongholds
for Pakistani/Bihari collaborators at
that time.
9. •Movies and documentaries :
•Kokhono Asheni, 1961 (his first film as
director)
•Sonar Kajol, 1962 (jointly directed with Kolim
Sharafi)
•Kancher Deyal, 1963
•Sangam, 1964 (the first colour film made in
Pakistan)
•Bahana, 1965
•Behula, 1966
•Anowara, 1966
•Dui Bhai, 1968
•Jibon Theke Neya, 1970
•Let There Be Light
•Jalte Suraj Ke Niche 1971
19. Short stories :
Sonar horin (The golden deer)
Somoyer proyojone (For the need of time)
Ekti jiggasa (One question)
Harano boloy (The lost ring)
Badh (The protest)
Surjagrohon (The Solar Eclipse)
Noya potton (The new foundation)
Mohamrittu (The great death)
Vangachora (The broken)
Oporadh (The crime)
Shikriti (The congratulations)
Oti porichito (Very familiar)
Ichha onichha (Wish or no wish)
Jonmantor
Poster
Ichhar agune jolchhi (Burnt in the fire of wish)
Kotogulo kukurer artonad (Bark of some dogs)
Koekti songlap (Some dialogues)
Demag (Pride)
Massacre
Ekusher golpo (Story of 21 February)
20. Documentary films:
•"Stop Genocide", Documentary on the
genocide by Pakistani Army in the
Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971
•"A State is Born"
•"Liberation Fighters"(Production)
•"Innocent Milions"(Production)
22. Novels :
•Sesh Bikeler Meye ( A Girl in the Late-
Afternoon)
•Trishna (Thirst)
•Hajar Bochhor Dhore (For Thousand
Years)
•Arek Falgun (Different Spring)
•Borof Gola Nodi (River of Melted Ice)
•Ar Koto Din (How Many More Days)
•Koekti Mrittu (A Few Deaths)
•Ekushey February (21 February)