Today is the 92nd birthday of Shamsur Rahman, one of the best poets of modern Bengali literature. His fiery lines against the various struggles of the Bengali nation, the war of liberation, the inconsistency and exploitation of social and political life have created a unique poetic tone in Bengali poetry. Although Shamsur Rahman is called a citizen poet, his role in creating kinship of modern Bengali poetry with the masses is foremost.
During his lifetime he became the leading poet of Bangladesh. He appeared in Bengali poetry as a modern poet in the second half of the twentieth century i.e. in the fifties. Within a short time, the two became acquainted in Bengal.
Shamsur Rahman was born on 23 October 1929 in Nanabari, Mahuttuli, Old Dhaka. Shamsur Rahman's nickname was Bachchu. Father Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury and mother Amena Begum. His ancestral home is in Paratali village of Raipura police station in Narsingdi district. The poet grew up in old Dhaka - so the various aspects and materials of urban life can be seen in his poems. In the early sixties, the world of poetry began to be enlightened by the scattering of his genius. He made his mark in the field of Bengali poetry in 1947 by composing the title "Nineteen Hundred and Fifty-Nine". It is published in the weekly Sonar Bangla. When his poem 'Rupali Snan' was published in the magazine 'Kabita' by Buddhadev Basu, the unique patron of modern poetry, Shamsur Rahman caught Sudheejan's attention as a poet.
Shamsur Rahman was a journalist by profession. He started his career as a co-editor of the Daily Morning News in 1956 and has worked for Radio Pakistan, Dainik Bangla, Saptahik Bichitra and others.
Shamsur Rahman has always been a holder of citizenship in Bengali poetry. His first book of poetry was 'First Song Before the Second Death' (1980). Fatigue, failure, lack of beauty, loneliness Shamsur Rahman has sewn many stanzas of his first book of poetry. The themes of his poems were love, humanity, freedom, language. His line against secularism and oppression has always been elevated. His poetry was an inspiration at every stage of the language struggle and freedom struggle of Bangladesh. Even during the dictatorial movement of the nineties, Shamsur Rahman's pen did not stop.
'At home', 'From prison camp', 'Face to face in difficult times',' Take back the deadly thorn ',' Bangladesh dreams', 'Sky of Ikarush', 'Homeland on the back of a strange camel', 'The blind beauty cries',' I don't believe in weapons', 'I want to be a traitor', 'Book is the heart of his Bangladesh', 'The smile of a rose in the ashes' etc. are the titles of the poet's thoughts on his homeland.
'Swadhinata Tumi', 'Bandi Shibir To', 'Barnamala', 'Amar Dukhini Barnamala', 'To get you, O Swadhinata', 'Assad's shirt', 'February 1969' - the poems carry the identity of his freedom-loving mind.
The most modern poet of Bengali poetry is Shamsur Rahman. For patriotism whose poems have been used in slogans, banners, graffiti and even orally.
Poet Shamsur Rahman passed away on 17 August 2006 while undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
In recognition of his contribution to literature, Shamsur Rahman has been awarded numerous prizes and honors including Bangladesh Independence Award, Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award. He was awarded honorary D-lit degrees from Rabindranath Tagore and Jadavpur Universities in India.
Meanwhile, a discussion meeting and dedicated poetry reading was organized at the Bangla Academy Poet Shamsur Rahman Seminar Room on the joint initiative of Bangla Academy, Jatiya Kabita Parishad and Shamsur Rahman Smriti Parishad yesterday afternoon ahead of the poet's birthday. Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, Poet Aslam Sunny, Dr. took part in the discussion and reminiscence presided over by the Director General of Bangla Academy, Poet Habibullah Siraj. Jalal Firoz, Poet Piyas Majid. Poet Tariq Sujat, General Secretary of the National Poetry Council gave a welcome speech. Poet Aminur Rahman Sultan, Deputy Director of Bangla Academy conducted the program.
Apart from this, literary, literary lovers and various organizations across the country have organized various events to celebrate the poet's birthday.