Zahir Raihan was a Bangladeshi novelist, writer and filmmaker. He is perhaps most wellknown for his documentary "Stop Genocide" made during the Bangladesh Liberation War. He was born on 19th August, 1935 in the village Majupur of Feni district in Bangladesh. His main name was Mohammad Zahirullah. He had his early education in Mitra Institute and later, he studied in Calcutta Alia Madrasah, where his father was a professor. After the Partition in 1947, he along with his parents returned back to their own village at Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). Zahir passed the Matriculation in 1950 from Amirabad High School and was then admitted to Dhaka College, from where he passed ISc Examinations. He obtained B.A. (Hons) in Bangla from the University of Dhaka. He received his post graduate degree in Bangla Literature. He had been married twice, to Sumita Devi in 1961 and Shuchanda in 1968, both of whom were film actresses.
In his early years, Zahir was attracted by the communist movement. When Communist Party was banned and the leaders of the party went underground, he worked as a courier to carry letters and messages for them from one place to another. He got the name Raihan from underground leaders and thus his original name Zahirullah was changed to Zahir Raihan. He took an active part in the language movement. He was one of the first 10 students to go out in a procession on 21st February, 1952 despite there was a ban on such activities. He and many others were arrested and then taken to prison. He also took part in the "Gono Obbhtthan" in 1969. During the Liberation War Raihan went to Kolkata where his film "Jibon Theke Neya" was shown. His film was highly criticised among Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Topon Singh and Hrittik Ghotok. 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.
In his student life Zahir devoted himself to literature. His first book Surya Grahan, a collection of stories, was published in 1955. Along with literature works Raihan started working as a journalist when he joined "Juger Alo" in 1950. Later he also worked in newspapers namely "Khapchara", "Jantrik", "Cinema". He also worked as the editor of "Probaho" in 1956.
In 1952, Zahir went to Kolkata to learn photography and was admitted to Pramatesh Burua Memorial Photography School. He worked as an assistant in the film "Jago Huya Sabera" in 1957. This was his first foot print in film. He was also assisted Salahuddin in the film "Je Nodi Morupothay". The famous filmmaker Ehtesham also took him for his movie "A Desh Tomar Amar" where he wrote the title song. Kakhono Asheni, the first film directed by him, was released in 1961. His Urdu film "Sangam" was the first coloured film in Pakistan. His famous film "Jiban Theke Neya" depicted the autocratic rule of Pakistan and inspired the people to protest against the Pakistani rulers. He started making an English film "Let There Be Light", which he could not finish because of the break out of the Liberation War.
After 25th March, 1971, he went to Kolkata and produced a documentary film "Stop Genocide" highlighting the massacre done by the Pakistani Army. This film created a sensation all over the world.
Some of his important works:
Books
- Surya Grahan (The eclipse, 1954)
- Shesh Bikeler Meye (The Girl from the Afternoon)
- Hajar Bachhar Dhare (Through Thousand Years)
- Arek Falgun (Another Falgun Day) -based on the Language Movement of 1952
- Baraf Gala Nadi (The River of Icy Waters)
- Ar Kata Din (For How Long)
- Koyekti Mrittu (A Few Deaths)
- Trishna (Thirst)
Movies
- Kakhono Asheni (1961)
- Sonar Kajal (jointly directed with Kolim Shorafi)
- Kancher Deyal
- Behula
- Jiban Theke Neya
- Anwara
- Sangam (the first colour film made in Pakistan)
- Bahana
- Let There Be Light
Documentary Films
- Stop Genocide -Documentary on the genocide by Pakistani Army in the Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971
- Birth of A Nation
- Liberation Fighters
- Innocent Milions
Achievements:
- Adamjee Literature Award
- Bangla Academy Award (1972)
In December 1971, Zahir Raihan's elder brother Shahidullah Kaiser, a famous writer, was captured from his residence at the University of Dhaka, and killed by the Pakistan army and local collaborators. On 30th December, 1971, someone informed Zahir about an address, somewhere at Mirpur, where he might find his brother. Zahir left home to get his brother back and never returned until today, the day is observed as Zahir's Disappearance Day. People remember him as a great figure in film and literature of Bangladesh
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