Al Mujahidi, the Ekushey Padak-winning poet, has died. He passed away on Friday (19 June) 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.
The poet’s daughter, Parama, said: “Because my father’s kidney function had stopped, he could not pass urine, so acid spread through his whole body. At the same time his heartbeat became very high, and he also had a minor heart attack.”
In that condition he was admitted to the emergency department of United Hospital in the capital on Thursday evening. As his condition was serious, he was moved from there to the coronary care unit (CCU).
Al Mujahidi was once the literary editor of the daily Ittefaq. He was involved in student politics in his student days and took an active part in the great Liberation War of 1971.
Al Mujahidi worked across many branches, including poetry, novels, children’s literature and translation, and has many books to his name. His notable poetry collections include “Hemlocker Peyala,” “Dhrupad O Terracotta,” “Juddho Nasti,” “Mrittika Ati-Mrittika,” “Prison Van,” “Daedalus O Labyrinth,” “Eider Hamlet,” “Prachya Prithibi,” “Prithibir Dhulo,” “Saur Jonaki,” “Vita Nuova,” “Academus-er Bagan,” “Al Mujahidir Shreshtha Kabita,” “Al Mujahidir Premer Kabita,” “Sandhyar Brishti,” “Kaler Bandite,” “Pakhir Prithibi,” “Albatross,” “Bhangur Golap,” “Kado Hiroshima Kado Nagasaki” and “Palki Chole Dulki Tale.”
His notable novels include “Prothom Prem,” “Chand O Chirkut,” “Milu et O Sonata,” “Lal Batir Harin,” “Rupali Roddur,” “Alor Pakhita,” “Chhutir Chhuti,” “Khokar Akash” and “Khokar Juddho.”
His short-story collections include “Prapancher Pakhi,” “Batabaran” and “Bhara Kotal Mora Kotaler Chand.”
He also has a research book titled “Kalantarer Jatri.” His notable children’s books include “Halum Hulum,” “Talpatar Sepai,” “Shekol Kate Khanchar Pakhi,” “Sonar Mati Rupor Mati” and “Istishane Whistle.”
Al Mujahidi also has an essay collection titled “Samaj O Samajtattwa.” His translations include “Kaifi Azmir Kabita,” “Prithibir Kabita,” “Ahmad Farazer Kabita,” “Urdu Kabita,” “Hindi Kabita” and the poems of Heinrich Heine.
In recognition of his life and work, he received the Jibanananda Das Academy Award, the Poet Jasimuddin Academy Award, the Michael Madhusudan Academy Award, the Sher-e-Bangla Sangsad Award, the Joy Bangla Sahitya Award, the BASASP Kabyaratna Padak and the Ekushey Padak.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report