People from all walks of life have paid rich tributes to Rafiq Azad, one of the most prolific and versatile poets of Bangla literature.
The body of the poet was kept on Central Shaheed Minar premises from 10am to 12pm Monday for the people to pay their respects.
Eminent cultural and literary figures including Cultural Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu and Syed Shamsul haq were among others paid tribute to the freedom fighter.
Later, the poet’s body will be taken to Bangla Academy for poets and writers to pay respect. His namaz-e-janaza will be held at Dhaka University Central Mosque. He will be buried at Mirpur Shaheed Buddhijibi Graveyard on the same day.
On January 15, the poet was brought to the hospital from Anwar Khan Medical College Hospital in Dhanmondi.
Azad, perhaps known to most by his incendiary poem “Bhat Dey Haramjada, Noile Manchitro Khabo,” written during the 1974 famine, died at the capital’s Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on March 12. He was 73.