A Great poet of Our Generation

Shamsur Rahman

Shamsur Rahman is one of the best modernist poets of Bangladesh. Besides many of his timeless modern poetry he was an eminent journalist and columnist. We remember this great literary personality on his 8th death anniversary.

Shamsur Rahman was born in his grandfather's place at Mahut-tuli of old Dhaka on 23rd October, 1929
He studied at Dhaka's traditional Pogos School and Dhaka College
He was also a student of the English department of Dhaka University but didn't take the final exam
In 1949 he joined the Progressive Writers and Artists' Association

He was the editor of a national daily called Dainik Bangla and the weekly Bichitra in the 80s
At that time these were one of the most influential print media in Bangladesh
Shamsur Rahman's first book of poetry, Prothom Gaan Dwityo Mrittyur Agey (First Song Before the Second Death) was published in 1960  
The movements for Bangladesh's self determination was reflected in his poems
His famous poem Asader Shirt was written with respect to the mass uprising of 1969

His poems written during the liberation war were published in his book Bondi Shibir Theke in 1972
During the movement against dictator Ershad he published his book Buk Tar Bangladesher Hridoy indicating the sacrifice of Nur Hossain
Shamsur Rahman wrote most of his poems in free verse, often with the rhythm style known as Poyaar or Okhshorbritto.
He published more than 60 books of poems and many prose works, children's literature and novels

Shamsur Rahman received the Bangla Academy Award in 1969
He was awarded with the Ekushey Padak in 1977
He was also given many international literary awards such as Mitsubishi Award of Japan, TLM South Asian Literature Award for the Masters, 2006 etc.
Shamsur Rahman died on 17th August 2006 of heart and kidney failure at the age of 77