19 Facts About Shahidul Zahir

Shahidul Zahir was a Bangladeshi novelist, short story writer and government bureaucrat.

Shahidul Zahir is known for his unique practice of magical realism in modern Bengali literature.

Shahidul Zahir has published four novels and three story collections.

Shahidul Zahir has added a new dimension to Bengali short stories.

Shahidul Zahir's father AK Nural Haque was a government officer and his mother Jahanara Begum a housewife.

Shahidul Zahir's grandfather Jahiruddin was a teacher of the local Normal School and his grandmother was Jinnatun Nesa.

Fictionist Shahidul Zahir started his school at Silverdale KG School at the then 36 Rankin Street in Dhaka.

Shahidul Zahir studied Political Science at the Dhaka University for his bachelor's and master's degrees.

Shahidul Zahir went to the American University in Washington, DC and Birmingham University.

Shahidul Zahir joined the Bangladesh Civil Service in 1981 as an Assistant Secretary.

Shahidul Zahir was serving as Secretary-in-charge of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs until his death in 2008.

Shahidul Zahir has been said to be a magic-realist in line with Latin American writers and Zahir has been termed the new Marquez of Bangladesh.

Shahidul Zahir left behind a family which consisted of 4 brothers and 4 sisters.

Shahidul Zahir's father died in 1990 and his mother lives with his younger brothers and sisters at his paternal home at Noyatola, Boro Moghbazar, Dhaka, where he used to reside before moving to government quarter after joining the Civil Service.

Shahidul Zahir died from acute myocardial infarction on 23 March 2008 at the LabAid Cardiac Hospital in Dhaka.

Shahidul Zahir's death was mourned by the president and prime minister of the country, in addition to the literary circle.

Shahidul Zahir was buried at the Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard at Mirpur, Dhaka.

Shahidul Zahir left a huge number of literary fans who were impressed by his unique literary approach.

Shahidul Zahir's last published story is titled "The Miracle of Life" which remains to be anthologised.