Poet Shamsur Rahman’s 13th death anniversary today

The 13th death anniversary of renowned poet Shamsur Rahman will be observed today.

Different socio-cultural organisations including Kabi Shamsur Rahman Smriti Parishad have drawn up various programmes to mark the day, said a press release.

Jatiya Kabita Parishad, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Kabi Shamsur Rahman Smriti Parishad and the poet’s family members will place wreaths at this grave in Banani in the morning. The death anniversary will also be observed at his ancestral village in Raipura of Narsingdi through various programmes.

Rahman was born in Old Dhaka on October 23 in 1929. His poems largely feature the Liberation War.

Barnomala Amar Dukhini Barnomala, Asader Shirt, Tomake Pawar Jonno Hey Swadhinata and Udbhat Uter Pithe Cholechhe Swadesh are some his works depicting various aspects of national transitions at different times.

The number of books published in his lifetime is 112, including four novels, 67 on poetry, a short story and six translations.

He also took part in various socio-cultural movements and played a vital role in the nation’s critical moments.

Rahman made his professional debut as a journalist of the daily Morning Sun in 1957. Later, he worked for Dainik Pakistan and Dainik Bangla, where he also served as its chief editor.

Major themes in his poetry and writings include humanism, relationships, romanticised rebellion of the youth, the emergence of and consequent events in Bangladesh, and opposition to religious fundamentalism.

He wrote most of his poems in free verse, often with the rhythm style known as “Poyaar” or “Akhshorbritto”. He also wrote poems in two other major patterns of Bengali rhythmic style, namely, “Matrabritto” and “Shwarobritto”.

Rahman also received a number of prestigious awards at home and abroad.

The eminent poet died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on this day in 2006 while undergoing treatment.