Mashrur Arefin
Mashrur Arefin | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 9, 1969 Barishal, Bangladesh |
| Occupation(s) | Author, poet, translator, novelist, banking professional |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Bengali translations of Homer's Iliad and Franz Kafka; novels August Abchchaya and Althusser |
Mashrur Arefin (born 9 October 1969) is a multifaceted Bangladeshi author, poet, translator, novelist, and banking professional. He is notably acclaimed for his Bengali renditions of Homer's Iliad and the stories of Franz Kafka, as well as his novels August Abchchaya (2019) and Althusser (2020). His literary excellence has been acknowledged through various awards, including the BRAC Bank-Samakal Literature Award in 2013 for his Kafka translations, the Gemcon Shahitya Puroshkar in 2020 for August Abchchaya, and the IFIC Bank Literary Award in 2019 honoring the same novel.
He frequently contributes literary essays to newspapers and cultural supplements.
Early life
Originally from Barishal, Mashrur Arefin was raised in Khulna. After completing his secondary and higher secondary education at Barishal Cadet College, he pursued English Literature at Aligarh Muslim University and obtained a master's degree from Dhaka University. In 1995, he embarked on his professional journey at ANZ Grindlays Bank Limited as a management trainee, subsequently earning an MBA from Victoria University in Australia.
Career
Beginning his banking career in 1995 with ANZ Grindlays Bank, Mashrur worked at the bank’s Australian headquarters before advancing to become Head of Consumer Finance in Bangladesh. His career includes positions at Standard Chartered Bank in Qatar, ANZ Banking Group in Melbourne, and serving as Director of American Express Bank in Bangladesh. He also briefly held the role of Resident Vice President for Citibank N.A. in Bangladesh. Prior to joining The City Bank, he led Consumer Banking at Eastern Bank Ltd.
In 2007, he joined City Bank as Head of Retail Banking and was promoted to Managing Director & CEO in January 2019. He has also fulfilled responsibilities as Chief Communications Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Furthermore, he acts as a Director for the bank’s remittance subsidiary based in Malaysia and its merchant banking arm.
Ishwardi Mayor O Mule er Golpo (Poetry)
Mashrur Arefin’s first publication, Ishwardi Mayor O Mule er Golpo, is a long poem released in 2001 by 'Da' Prokashoni. This work delves into innovative prose forms and imagery within Bengali literature, marked by experimental syntax and stylistic choices aimed at establishing a novel aesthetic for prose writing.
August Abchaya (Novel)
His debut novel, August Abchaya (The Eclipse of August), dramatizes the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's inaugural president. Published during the 2019 Ekushey Book Fair, it earned the Gemcon Literary Prize in 2020. Arefin regards this novel as transcending mere historical fiction by addressing themes that extend beyond the primary event.
Althusser (Novel)
The second novel titled Althusser, named after the French philosopher Louis Althusser, was introduced at the 2020 Ekushey Book Fair. This piece reflects international literary influences on Bengali writing and continues Arefin’s exploration of intricate philosophical subjects.
Prithibi Elomelo Sokalbelay (Poetry)
His second collection of poetry, Prithibi Elomelo Sokalbelay, premiered at the 2020 Ekushey Book Fair. The volume reinforces Arefin’s reputation for blending thematic complexity with innovative poetic techniques.
Literary Awards
- 2013: Awarded the BRAC Bank-Samakal Literature Award for translating Franz Kafka's short stories
- 2020: Received the Gemcon Shahitya Puroshkar for the novel August Abchaya (published in 2019)