Al Mujahidi, the Ekushey Padak-winning poet, has died. He passed away on Friday afternoon while undergoing treatment in the surgical ICU of United Hospital in the capital.
He had earlier been admitted to a private hospital from 23 April to 26 May with multiple organ failure, including a heart attack, a stroke and kidney problems. After returning home he was somewhat better for about two weeks. As his condition worsened again, he was admitted to a private hospital in Uttara on 4 June and kept there until 15 June.
A day after he was brought home he fell ill again and, on 16 June, was admitted to the ICU of Uttara Crescent Hospital. Al Mujahidi, 86, had long suffered from heart disease and age-related ailments. After contracting chikungunya a year ago he had been entirely bedridden. He was once the literary editor of the daily Ittefaq, was involved in politics in his student days, and took an active part in the 1971 Liberation War.
A figure who ranged across every branch of literature, he gave readers numerous enduring works of poetry, fiction, translation and children’s literature alongside his long tenure as literary editor of the daily Ittefaq.
His well-known poetry collections include “Hemlocker Peyala,” “Dhrupad O Terracotta,” “Juddho Nasti” and “Mrittika Ati-Mrittika.” His novels and stories include “Prothom Prem,” “Chand O Chirkut” and “Prapancher Pakhi.”
For his outstanding contribution to literature he was honoured with the state award Ekushey Padak as well as the Jibanananda Das Academy Award, the Poet Jasimuddin Academy Award and many other honours.
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