Poet Abu Bakar Siddique passes away in Khulna

Eminent poet Abu Bakar Siddique died at a hospital in Khulna city this morning. He was 91.

Abu Bakar, also father of former president HM Ershad's second wife Bidisha Ershad, breathed his last around 5:45am, Bidisha confirmed on social media.

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The poet, who had been suffering from old-age complications for a long time, was taken to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Khulna City Hospital in critical condition yesterday.

His namaz-e-janaza will held at Shaheed Hadis Park in Khulna after Juhr prayers.

Abu Bakar Siddique received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1988. He also won the Bangladesh Kathashilpi Sangsad Award and the Bangladesh Lekhika Sangha Award, among others.

He was born on August 19, 1934 at Gotapara in Bagerhat Sadar. His published books include more than 20 poetry books, four novels, 15 storybooks, and one rhyme book.

He passed his SSC examination from Bagerhat Secondary Government High School in 1952, HSC from Bagerhat Government Prafulla Chandra College in 1954, and completed his BA from the same college in 1956. Then he got admitted to the Bangla Department of Dhaka University and obtained his master's degree in 1958.

In his professional life, Abu Bakar Siddique taught at Government Fazlul Haque College, Government Brajalal College, Kushtia College, Government Prafulla Chandra College, and Rajshahi University.

He retired as Associate Professor of the Bangla Department of Rajshahi University on July 7, 1994. He then taught at Queen's University and Notre Dame College in Dhaka.

The poet's published novels include "Jalarakshas", "Kharadaha", "Barudpora Prohor", and "Ekattorer Hridobhasma".