Belal Chaudhuri passes away

Renowned poet, Language Movement veteran, journalist and organiser Belal Chaudhuri passed away yesterday noon. He was 79.

He had been suffering from multiple ailments and was put on life support at a hospital in the capital on Friday, said his son Abdullah Yusuf Protik.

The body would be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar at 11:00am today and would be kept there for two hours so that people from all walks of life can pay their last tribute to the poet.

The first namaz-e-janaza would be held at Dhaka University's Central Mosque after Zuhr prayers. Later, the body would be taken to the deceased's village in Feni's Sharsdi, where he would be laid to eternal rest following a second namaz-e-janaza.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor mourned the distinguished poet.

Evaluating Chaudhuri's contributions to modern Bangla poetry, noted poet Kamal Chowdhury said, “Poet Belal Chaudhuri played a pivotal role in making a bridge between the poems of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India.”

During his stay in Kolkata, Chaudhuri would write for many newspapers and magazines. Since then, he developed intimate friendships with renowned poets Sunil Gangopadhyay, Shakti Chattopadhyay and others, he said.

Chaudhuri took part in the 1952 Language Movement. Later, he diffused the conscience of Liberation War through his poems. He also wrote poems in protest against the killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

“His contributions in instilling and embellishing the base of modernity in Bangla poems are immense. He also inspired young poets through his writings and played the role of a 'cultural catalyst' in forming poets' organisations like 'Padabali' and poetry movements,” said Kamal Chowdhury

Chaudhuri served as the editor of monthly “Bharat Bichitra”, published by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. He was also an editor of the “Shaptahik Sandwip” published by Rupali Group, and “Krittibas”, a Bangla poetry magazine, edited by Sunil Gangopadhyay.

Sunil Gangopadhyay, Shakti Chattopadhyay, Belal Chaudhuri, Sarat Kumar Mukhopadhyay and Shankha Ghosh are regarded as Panchokobi (five certain poets) of Krittibas era. 

Emerging as a powerful poet in the 60s, he played his part in flourishing “Hungry Generation” and “Sad Generation” in Bangla poetry. He was one of the founders of Jatiya Kabita Parishad that was formed against the backdrop of autocratic Ershad government's ousting.  

Chaudhuri wrote about 16 books of poems, eight books of essays, seven books of juvenile literature and three works of translations. “Belal Chaudhuri 'r Kobita” , “Selai Kora Chhaya”, “Jabojjibon Shasram Ullashe”, “Nishad Prodeshe”, “Attoprotikriti”, “Sthirjibon O Nishorgo” and “Swapnobondi” are some of his well-known collection of poetry.

Born in Sharsdi in Feni on 12 November, 1938, Chaudhuri lived in Kolkata, India for several years. He would write for noted newspapers and literary magazines like Anandabazar Patrika, Jugantar, Saptahik Desh, Amrita and Krittibas. He was also involved with various newspapers in Bangladesh. He edited a number of books.

Chaudhuri was a recipient of Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh. In addition, for his contributions to Bangla language and literature, he received many other awards including “Bangla Academy Puroshkar”, “Alakta Sahitya Puroshkar and Gold Medal”, “Nihar Ranjan Puroshkar”, “Kabitalap Puroshkar” and Mazharul Islam Poetry Award.