Today is the 18th anniversary of the death of poet and journalist Shamsur Rahman, who has added a new dimension to modernism in Bangla literature.
Born on October 23, 1929 at Mahuttuli in Dhaka, Shamsur Rahman started writing poems at the age of 18. His first poem 鈥楿nishsha Unapanchash鈥� was published in 1943.
He got admitted to Dhaka University鈥檚 English department but did not attend any examinations for three years. In 1953, he obtained BA (pass course) degree.
In 1957, Shamsur Rahman began his career as journalist as sub-editor of the English daily Morning News. Being a journalist, many of the journalistic elements found place in his poems but all fermented in the liquid of poetry. He had also served as editor of a national daily 鈥楧ainik Bangla鈥� and the 鈥榃eekly Bichitra鈥� in the 鈥�80s.
The poet鈥檚 first collection of poems 鈥楶ratham Gaan Dwitiya Mrityur Aage鈥� was published in 1960.
Shamsur Rahman鈥檚 much-acclaimed poem 鈥楢sader shirt鈥� was the immediate reaction to his approaching face to face with a huge march of demonstrators that proceeded holding high the blood-stained shirt of Asad, who was killed in police firing on January, 20 1969. The scene made the poet so deeply move that he could not regain his peace of mind, and with a heavy heart he wrote the poem.
His poems 鈥楩ebruary 1969鈥�, 鈥楶olice Report鈥�, 鈥楬artal鈥� and 鈥楨i Lash Amra Rakhbo Kothay鈥� brought a new kind of nakedness gushes out in both thoughts and language.
Towards the end of Hussain Muhammad Ershad鈥檚 autocratic rule, Shamsur Rahman became involved in the anti-autocracy movement of the people. In 1987, he was one of the 31 distinguished citizens who issued a milestone statement on March 30, demanding end of the autocratic rule and restoration of democratic policy.
During the movement against Ershad, his book titled Buk Tar Bangladesher Hriday got published, indicating the great sacrifice of Nur Hossain.
As he did not approve of the proposed one-party rule, the poet remained one of the exceptional few who did not join the monolithic national party named BKSAL, the 鈥楤angladesh Peasants, Workers and People鈥檚 League鈥� in English, formed by the country鈥檚 founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.聽
Shamsur Rahman depicted liberal humanism, human relations, patriotism and opposed religious fundamentalism in his literary creations, including 鈥楤andi Shibir Theke鈥�, 鈥楻oudra Karotite鈥�, 鈥楤idhwasta Nilima鈥�, 鈥楴iralokay Dibyarath鈥�, 鈥楴ij Basbhume鈥�, 鈥楶hiriye Nao Ghatak Kanta鈥�, 鈥楨k Dharaner Ahangkar鈥�, 鈥楢diganta Nagna Padadhwani鈥�, 鈥楢mi Anahari鈥�, 鈥楳atal Ritwik鈥�, 鈥楿dbhat Uter Pithe Chalchhe Swadesh鈥�, 鈥楰abitar Sange Gerasthali鈥�, 鈥楬omarer Swapnamay Haat鈥�, 鈥楧hulay Gora Shirastran鈥�, 鈥楧eshdrohi Hote Ichchhe Kore鈥�, 鈥楢ndhakar Theke Aloy鈥�, 鈥楴a Bastab Na Duhswapna鈥� 鈥楤hagnastupe Golaper Hasi鈥�, 鈥楪antabya Nai Ba Thakuk鈥�, 鈥楪orsthane Kokiler Karun Ahban鈥� and 鈥楰abita Ek Dharaner Ashray鈥�.
The poet received the Independence Award, Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Literary Award, Mitsubishi Award and Ananda Puraskar.
Shamsur Rahman passed away on August 17, 2006.
