Renowned poet Nirmalendu Goon has been named the first recipient of Kabi Jasimuddin Shahitya Puroshkar for his contribution to contemporary Bengali poetry.

Bangla Academy, which has introduced the literary award after the name of Palli Kabi Jasimuddin, announced Goon's name on January 1, 2019, which marked the 116th birth anniversary of the great poet.

Goon will receive Taka 2,00,000, a certificate, a crest and uttario on February 28 at the closing ceremony of Ekushey Book Fair 2019, according to renowned poet Habibullah Shirajee, who is also the Director General of Bangla Academy.

“We are delighted to introduce this award in honour of Palli Kabi Jasimuddin. He is an important poet in our literary realm. We are also happy to confer the award to Nirmalendu Goon,” said Habibullah Shirajee.

 “I am honoured and humbled to receive this award. I dedicated one of my poetry books Chashabhushar Kabya to Kabi Jasimuddin,” said Nirmalendu Goon.

Goon, who emerged as a poet in the 1960s, published his first collection of poems Premangshur Rakto Chai in 1970. In his illustrious five-decade journey as a poet, Goon published around 100 books including his collections of poems Na Premik Na Biplabi, Amimangshita Ramoni, Dirgha Dibash Dirgha Rajani, Chaitrer Bhalobasha, O Bandhu Amar, Chashabhushar Kabya, Ami Samayke Janmate Dekhechhi among others.

Goon's poetry contains stinging criticism of the nouveau riche and touching tales of the contrasting fates of the masses. Love of freedom and faith in humanity also emanate through many of his poems.

Nirmalendu Goon has received several major awards as a poet including Independence Award in 2016, Ekushey Padak in 2001 and Bangla Academy Award in 1982.