Death anniversary of poet Abul Hussain

Today is the fifth death anniversary of poet Abul Hussain, a pioneer of modernism in Bengali poetry. On this day in 2014, he breathed his last at the age of 92, says a press release.

Abul Hussain’s works reflected his lifelong search for a philosophical and religious position from which to analyse the individual life in relation to society. He wrote 25 books.

Abul Hussain was born in Khulna in 1922. He studied economics at the Calcutta Presidency College and Calcutta University. For more than three decades thereafter, he worked in national and international organisations, at home and abroad, as a civil servant. He was awarded state and other national prizes for his poetical works.

His first book of poem was “Naba-Basanta”. Others are “Birash Sanglap” (1969), “Duswapna Theke Duswapne” (1985), “Haoa Tomar Kee Dussahos” (1982), “Ekhono Somoy Ache” (1997), “Aar Kisher Opekkha” (2000), “Kaler Khatae” (2008) and “Selected Poems” (1986).

Hussain has received numerous awards including Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, Padabali Award and Nasiruddin Gold Medal.

The poet left behind two sons and two daughters -- Selim RF Hussain, managing director and CEO of Brac Bank Ltd; Sohail RK Hussain, former MD and CEO of City Bank Ltd; Farah Imrana Hussain and Naz Akther Samina Hussain.