Habibullah Sirajee laid to eternal rest
Ekushey Padak laureate poet Habibullah Sirajee was laid to eternal rest yesterday at Azimpur Graveyard.
Bangla Academy Director General Sirajee, whose poems portrayed the struggling history of Bangladesh, was buried after his family, friends, colleagues, and admirers bid him a final farewell.
Sirajee, also a writer and novelist, died at a private hospital in capital on Monday night at the age of 72. He was suffering from colon cancer.
His death cast a pall of gloom over the literature and academic arenas.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Habibullah Sirajee.
In a condolence message, the President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
In her message, Shiekh Hasina said Habibullah Sirajee highlighted the War of Liberation and progressiveness in his poem and work, which will be remembered by readers.
Sirajee's body was brought to Bangla Academy premises in the morning where people from all walks of life paid their last tribute to him.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, an Awami league delegation, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman and Pro VC (Administration) Prof Muhammad Samad, Rabindra University Bangladesh VC Prof Biswajit Ghosh, Bangladesh Press Council, Bengal Foundation, Sammilita Sangiskritik Jote, Jatiya Kabita Parishad, Academic and Creative Publishers Association of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Publishers and Book-Sellers Association, Chhatra League, Writers Club, Bangladesh Abrirttishilpi Sangshad, thespians Ramendu Majumdar and Mamunur Rashid, novelist Anisul Hoque and others paid last tributes to Sirajee at Bangla Academy.
Sirajee's first namaz e janaza was also held at the academy premises. He was buried at Azimpur graveyard at noon following second namaz e janaza at the graveyard.
Since Monday night, people from all strata of life, including a host of cabinet members issued separate condolence messages mourning the death.
Habibullah Sirajee was born on December 31, 1948 in Faridpur district. He graduated from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 1970. He left behind wife, a son, two daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.
Sirajee was a renowned poet of contemporary Bangla language, with over 50 books of verse to his credit. He wrote several books for children and novels, and also translated a few books.
His notable titles include "Dao Briksha Dao Din", "Momshilper Khoikhoti", "Moddhorate Dule Utha Glass", "Kabiraj Buildinger Chhad", and "Jatrapustak", "Dwitiya Path", "Mishramil", "Gaddyar Gandhogokul", "Illibilli", "Raja Hotpot", "Amader Bangabandhu" and others.
He received Bangla Academy Sahitya Puraskar in 1991 and the prestigious civilian award Ekushey Padak in 2016.
He was also awarded with Jashore Sahitya Parishad Puraskar, Alaol Sahitya Puraskar, Bishnu Dey Puraskar, Ruposhi Bangla Puraskar, India, Bangabandhu Smarak Puraskar, India, Fazal Shahabuddin Kabita Puraskar, City-Ananda Alo Puraskar, Jatiya Kabita Parishad Puroskar, Lekhika Sangha Padak Prothom Alo Puroskar, India and others.
He was made Bangla Academy DG in December 2018.