Poet Helal Hafiz no more 

Country’s renowned poet Helal Hafiz has passed away.

He was 76 years. 

His younger brother Nehal Hafiz confirmed his death on Friday afternoon (December 13).

He was brought dead to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital at around 2:30 pm on Friday, said hospital's Director Brigadier General Md. Rezaur Rahman.

Helal Hafiz was suffering from glaucoma for a long time. He was also suffering from kidney, diabetes and nerve complications. 

Poet Helal Hafiz was born on October 7, 1948 in Netrokona. His first book of poems, ‘Je Jale Agun Jwale (The water where fire is ignited) was published in 1986. So far, the book has been printed more than 33 times. 

In addition to writing, he worked as a journalist for various newspapers including the Daily Jugantar for a long time. 

After publishing his first poetry collection ‘Je Jale Agun Jwale’ in 1986, the poet reached the peak of popularity. 

During the anti-dictatorship movement in the country, Helal Hafiz’s ‘Nishiddha Editorial’ line ‘Ekhon joubon jar juddhe jabar tar shreshtha samoy” (It's the best time for one to go to war who is in his youth) used to be recited in processions, slogans, and on the lips of poetry lovers. 

In 2013, he won the Bangla Academy Literary Award. In 2012, he published his second poetry collection ‘Kabita Ekattor’ by adding some poems to the poetry collection ‘Je Jale Agun Jwale’. 

Finally, in 2019, his third poetry collection ‘Bednake Bolche Kedo Na’ was published.