Abdullah Abu Sayeed, a renowned educationist and founder of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, dedicated his life to fostering learning and culture in Bangladesh. Born in 1939, he built a career as a teacher, writer, and broadcaster while establishing institutions to illuminate young minds. His efforts continue to influence thousands through reading programs and mobile libraries.
Abdullah Abu Sayeed was born on 25 July 1939 in Park Circus, Kolkata, with his ancestral home in Kamargati village under Kochua upazila of Bagerhat district. His father, Azeemuddin Ahmed, served as a college teacher and later principal; Sayeed lost his mother in early childhood. He completed his matriculation from Pabna Zila School in 1955 and intermediate from P C College of Bagerhat in 1957, followed by B.A. Honours and M.A. degrees in Bangla from Dhaka University in 1960 and 1961. At university, he organized the Birth Centenary of Rabindranath Tagore in 1961, defying threats from Pakistan's military junta.
Sayeed began teaching at Haraganga College in Munshiganj in 1961, with brief roles at Sylhet Women's College and as a lecturer at Rajshahi College from 1962. He later served as lecturer and acting principal at Intermediate Technical College in Dhaka, taught part-time at Dhaka Engineering College, and joined Dhaka College in the mid-1960s, retiring as professor on 1 April 1992—exactly 30 years after starting at Rajshahi on 1 April 1962. Known for his unique approach, he skipped roll calls to focus on engaging all students, especially the less attentive ones, and advised pupils to 'Be a fool,' drawing from Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's selfless dedication.
In 1965, Sayeed launched the periodical Kanthaswar, which became a key voice for young writers of the 1960s, including Abdul Mannan Syed and Nirmalendu Goon. He entered television in 1966, presenting children's and quiz shows, and from 1973 hosted popular BTV programs like Saptabarna, Choturanga, Anandamela, and Panchbyanjan, anchoring 25 episodes of Amandamela. He withdrew from TV in the mid-1980s to focus on Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, founded in 1978 with the slogan "Alokita Manush Chai" (Seeking Illumined People). Starting with 25 university students discussing world literature, it now operates 500 branches across 55 districts, benefiting hundreds of thousands through reading cycles, Alor School programs, and the 1998 Bhramyoman Library initiative using book-loaded buses.
Sayeed has authored about 40 books, including poetry like Mrityumoy O Chiraharit and memoirs such as Amar Boka Shoishab. His awards include the National Television Award in 1977, Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2004, Ekushey Padak in 2005, and Bangla Academy Literary Prize in 2012. Reflecting on recognition, he stated, "I never sought any prize or fame. I only wanted to live with joy." Eminent litterateur Anisul Haque described him as "a peddler of light, a magical man in the city of memories."