| Saogat an illustrated
monthly journal, edited and published by mohammad
nasiruddin, from Kolkata in Agrahayan 1325 BS (1918). It ceased
publication in Chaitra 1327 BS (March-April 1921). It restarted in Asadh
1333 BS (1926) as Saogat-Nabaparyay (New Phase) and continued publication
till 1337 BS (1930) after which it became irregular. There was no issue
of the Saogat during 1950-1952. From 1952 (Agrahayan 1359 BS) the
journal began to be published from Dhaka.
In the first issue of the Saogat, the editor laid down
seven principles testifying to his commitment to publish a standard
journal of liberal views and dedicated to social justice and communal
harmony. On the first page of the inaugural issue, a poem by Mrs
RS Hossain (roquiah
sakhawat hossain) was printed, followed by a poem by
mankumari
basu, symbolising the journal's commitment to communal
harmony.
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Cover illustration of the
Saogat |
In its inaugural issue, the Saogat published sixteen
pictures of famous men and women. The Saogat's liberal outlook
is suggested by the publication of women's pictures, as well as by the
several articles published in it on female education and women's emancipation.
It also encouraged promising female writers, publishing six special issues,
called Women's Volume (Mahila Sangkhya) with contributions from established
and fledgling writers of all communities.
kazi
nazrul islam was one of the main contributors to the Saogat.
His first publication in this journal was a story entitled 'Baundeler
Atma Kahini', in Jyaistha 1326 BS (1919), sent from Karachi where he was
serving in the Bengal Regiment. Apart from publishing his short stories,
essays, poems, songs and ghazals,
the Saogat also serialised Nazrul Islam's novel Mrtyuksudha.
Apart from Roquiah Sakhawat Hossain, other major contributors included
kazi abdul
wadud, abul
kalam shamsuddin, abul
mansur ahmed, and abul
fazal. rabindranath
tagore, abanindranath
tagore and satyendranath
dutta also wrote in this journal.
A pioneer in the field of Bengali Muslim journalism,
the Saogat maintained its progressive outlook in Dhaka and continued
to nurture young talent.
[Mohammad Abdul Qayyum]
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