Editor's Pick

Eminent modern poet

29 August 2006, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Md. Johirul Islam, University of Dhaka
Poet Shamsur Rahman earned a permanent place in the hearts of Bengalees and will be remembered for his contribution to Bengali literature. Shamsur Rahman started composing poetry at a time when most people, particularly the Bengalee Muslims, were not even aware of the development of modern poetry. He popularised modern Bengali poetry among people in general.

He wrote a number of novels, short stories and so on.

We are deeply shocked at his death.

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Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN), a global network of non-resident Bangladeshis, expresses its deep sorrow and anguish at the passing away of Shamsur Rahman, the most popular poet of Bangladesh. Shamsur Rahman had the ability to give sophisticated poetic expression to deep personal feelings. However, what made Shamsur Rahman so great was his capacity to give poetic expression to the emotions and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh as a whole. This latter faculty arose from his deep commitment to the people and the society at large. It is this capacity that made Shamsur Rahman the undisputed people's poet.

To follow through his social commitment, Shamsur Rahman displayed enormous courage. He was even subjected to a heinous, almost fatal attempt on his life by the dark forces of fundamentalism. But nothing could waver Shamsur Rahman from his love of the people and from his intense desire to see a secular progressive Bangladesh.

Shamsur Rahman had deep commitment to the environment of Bangladesh. He was an urban poet, a poet who was born in Dhaka and lived his entire life in this city. However, he was no less sensitive to nature and environment, and towards the end of his life he even became an active environmentalist. We had the opportunity of joining poet Shamsur Rahman in several pro-environmental efforts.

Shamsur Rahman leaves behind a great task to his fellow countrymen and women. It is the task of ensuring that the dream that he cherished all through his life, the dream for which he was not afraid even to risk his life, gets materialised. He wanted a progressive Bangladesh, a Bangladesh free of bigotry and injustice, a Bangladesh of materially and spiritually healthy people and environment. Shamsur Rahman has passed away. But along with his memorable poetry, he has also bequeathed us this big task. We now have to think how to carry it out.

Nazrul Islam, Coordinator, Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN)
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