A key figure in Bengali literature from the latter half of the 20th century, Rahman was regarded as the unofficial poet laureate of Bangladesh.
Although he died in 2006, the birthday of Bangladeshi poet Shamsur Rahman was celebrated today (October 23) across the country, as befits a writer who captured the nation’s fight for independence in his poetry.
Explains the Dhaka Tribune,
Regarded as a symbol of aesthetics for his lifestyle, gestures, and works, Rahman was born in the old part of Dhaka on October 23 in 1929 and died on August 17 in 2006.
On the occasion, different socio-cultural organizations have drawn up elaborate programs.
Bangladesh National Museum has organized a seminar on the occasion of the poet’s birthday. The seminar will be held at 3:15pm on Friday at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the National Museum.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid will be present there as the chief guest.
Rahman wrote 112 works, including four novels, 67 poetry books, one short story book, two children’s literature books, and six translations.
‘Barnomala Amar Dukhini Barnomala’, ‘Asader Shirt’, ‘Tomake Pawar Jonno Hey Swadhinata’, and ‘Udbhat Uter Pithe Cholechhe Swadesh’ are some his works depicting various aspects of national transitions at different times.
For his contribution to literature, Rahman received numerous awards including Bangla Academy Literary Award, Adamjee Literary Award, Ekushey Padak, and Ananda Puraskar from Calcutta.
Read more over at the Dhaka Tribune.
In 2018 Rahman’s birthday was celebrated with a Google Doodle.
According to Wikipedia, Rahman is considered a,
key figure in Bengali literature from the latter half of the 20th century. He was regarded as the unofficial poet laureate of Bangladesh. Major themes in his poetry and writings include liberal humanism, human relations, romanticised rebellion of youth, the emergence of and consequent events in Bangladesh, and opposition to religious fundamentalism.
