Poet Himel Barkat no more
Noted poet and teacher Himel Barkat has passed away yesterday. He was 42 years of age.
He breathed his last at the capital's Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital around 4:30am while undergoing treatment after a massive cardiac attack. He had suffered a heart attack on Saturday morning while conducting online classes.
Himel Barkat was a professor at the Bangla Department of Jahangirnagar University. He started his career there as a lecturer in 2006. He was a member of the National Curriculum and Textbook Borad (NCTB).
He was also the younger brother of noted Bangladeshi poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah. Just recently, he had written a write up on his brother titled 'Amar dada Rudra'.
A noted poet himself, Prof Barkat has three anthologies to his name -- 'Chokhe O Chowdike', 'Doshmatrik Drishsaboli', and 'Boishobiddalay'.
His research interests were literary theory and criticism, post-colonial theory, poetry of Bangladesh, street literature and poetry of aborginal people. He had recently completed a research work on Bengali street poems.
The untimely death of Prof Barkat has cast a shadow of mourning over Jahangirnagar University. Teachers, students, and officials alike have expressed their grief over his passing.
"He was a bright name among young Bengali researchers," said eminent educationist Prof Anu Muhammad while attending his namaj-e-janaza yesterday afternoon.
Prof Sumon Sazzad, Barkat's colleague at the Bangla Department, said, "He could contribute to any issue with his sharp analytical and creative prowess. As a colleague, he was amicable, friendly and helpful. He was really popular among students too."
Expressing grief, Jubayer Ahmed, a master's student of the department, said, "We have lost a good teacher as well as a good human being. He was greatly helpful and cordial to the students."
"The untimely death of Himel Barkat is an irreparable loss to Bengali literature and the university," JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam said in her condolence message.
He left behind his wife, a daughter, and numerous well-wishers.
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