Poet Mohammad Rafiq laid to eternal rest

Ekushey Padak-winning poet and freedom fighter Mohammad Rafiq, who passed away on his way to Dhaka from Barishal around 9 pm on Sunday (August 6), was laid to eternal rest around 11 am on Monday.

He was buried at his family graveyard in Chitali Baitpur area under Sadar upazila of Bagerhat following his namaj-e-janaza held at Uddipan Badar-Shamsu Biddya Niketon.

Rafiq, widely revered for his rebellious literary works, passed away on Sunday night. He was 80.

He left behind two sons, grandchildren and a host of well-wishers to mourn his death.

The poet, who had been suffering from various health complications, breathed his last on his way to Dhaka from Barishal around 9 pm on Sunday, according to his family sources.

They told the media that Rafiq went to his hometown in Bagerhat three days ago. When he fell sick on Sunday, he was taken to a local clinic in Barishal city where doctors advised taking him to Dhaka.

Poet Rafiq was born at Baitpur village under Bemrata union of Bagerhat Sadar upazila on October 23, 1943.

After passing the Matriculation exam, he enrolled in the science department of Notre Dame College in Dhaka; however, then switched to the humanities department at Dhaka College.

After Dhaka College, Rafiq was admitted to the English Department of Dhaka University. In 1967, he graduated from Dhaka University in English Language and Literature.

During his student life, Rafiq made a name for himself by infusing poetic fervour into the student movement in the 1960s, and continued his rebellious creative journey during the Liberation War.

During the Liberation War, he worked at Sector-1 and later for the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, inspiring the freedom fighters through his literary works. 

Rafiq started his career as a college teacher after independence before joining the Department of English at Jahangirnagar University.

During this period, he continued writing and publishing his poetry and prose. He raised his voice through his poetries against the oppression in society and one of his poems titled “Khola Kobita” which was written against the military dictator Hussein Mohammad Ershad, garnered an incredibly massive response.

His maiden publication of poetry titled “Boishakhi Purnima” was published in 1970. His other notable works include “Dhulor Songsare Ei Mati”, “Kirtinasha”, “Kopila”, “Swadeshi Nishwas Tumimoy”, “Matsyagandha”, “Bishkhali Sondhya”, “Kalapani”, and “Troyee”.

For his influential contribution in the country’s literature, poet Mohammad Rafiq was conferred with the Ekushey Padak in 2010.

His other recognitions and awards include the Bangla Academy Award, Prothom Alo Best Book of the Year Award, and Gemcon Literary Award, to name a few.