Syed Manzoorul Islam, emeritus professor and eminent academic, dies at 74

The former Dhaka University professor has been in and out of life support over the past week

Syed Manzoorul Islam, an emeritus professor and renowned litterateur who was awarded the Ekushey Padak, has died in hospital care at the age of 74.

He passed away at 5pm on Friday while undergoing treatment at Labaid Hospital, according to Bangla Academy Director Sarkar Amin.

The former Dhaka University professor had been put back on life support after his condition deteriorated earlier in the day, according to Mazharul Islam, chief executive of publishing house Anyaprokash.

Manzoorul had been admitted to Labaid Hospital on Oct 3 after suffering a heart attack. He underwent tests and later had two stents placed in his heart.

He was placed on life support on Sunday evening after his condition became critical but briefly improved on Tuesday, when doctors said he was breathing without ventilation support.

Manzoorul was born on Jan 18, 1951, in Sylhet to Syed Amirul Islam and Rabeya Khatun. He completed his secondary education at Sylhet Government Pilot High School in 1966 and later studied at MC College in Sylhet.

He went on to enrol in the Department of English at Dhaka University, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

In 1981, he obtained a PhD from Queen’s University in Canada for his thesis on the influence of Emanuel Swedenborg’s philosophy in the poetry of WB Yeats.

He spent most of his professional career teaching in the English Department of Dhaka University before retiring and later joining the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).

Over his long career, Manzoorul has been recognised with some of the country’s highest honours, including the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1996 and the Ekushey Padak in 2018.

His published works span fiction, essays and literary criticism. Among his best-known works are "Pustak Prakashona O Sampadana Prasanga", "Thaka Na Thakar Golpo", "Kach Bhanga Rater Golpo", "Andhokar O Alo Dekhar Golpo", "Adhkhana Manush", "Dinratriguli", "Ajgubi Rat", "Tin Porber Jibon", "Nondontotto", "Kotipoy Probondho", and "Alosh Diner Hawa".