Poet Shamsur Rahman's death anniversary observed

The eighth death anniversary of eminent poet Shamsur Rahman was observed on Sunday.

Different socio-cultural organisations took out various programmes to mark the day.

Jatiya Kabita Parishad and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote placed wreaths at the grave of the poet at Banani in the morning. A milad mahfil was held at the poet’s Shyamoli residence in the afternoon.

Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote also arranged a discussion and poetry recitation at its office at Gulshan at noon.

Besides, Kabi Sangsad Bangladesh organised a commemorative meeting while Jatiya Ganatantrik League a discussion in the city.

Poet Shamsur Rahman emerged in the latter half of the 20th century who wrote more than 60 books of poetry and is considered a key figure in Bengali literature. He was noted as an urban poet, columnist and journalist.

Major themes in his poetry and writings include liberal humanism, human relations, romanticism, democracy, religious fundamentalism and what not.

Shamsur Rahman was born on October 23, 1929 at his grandfather’s residence in Dhaka. He was the fourth of 13 children. He studied at Pogose High School, Dhaka College and Dhaka University.

Among his famed works are ‘Roudro Korotite’, ‘Biddhasta Nilima’, ‘Niraloke Dibyaroth’ and ‘Adiganta Nagna Padaddhani’.

Apart from poetry, he also contributed to the realms of essays, stories, novels, translations and columns. Rabindra Bharati University and Jadavpur University of India conferred honorary D.Lit. degrees upon him.

His poems were translated into many languages. Shamsur Rahman was honoured with many national and international awards like Admajee Award, Bangla Academy Award for literature (poetry) in 1969, Jibananandadas Purosker-1973, Ekushey Padak- 1977, Kabitalap Purosker-1979, Abul Munsur Gold Medal-1981, Bhasani Purosker-1982, and Mitsubishi (Japan) Award for Journalism-1982.