The body of Shaheed Quaderi, whom the mourners repeatedly cited as the “most modern” among the Bengali poets, arrived at the Central Shaheed Minar around 11:10am on Wednesday.
He was bidden with love and remembrance; flowers and tears were laid before his body from wide walks of people.
The ceremony was initiated with the prime minister’s last respect sent through two representatives.
Nira Qadri, the poet’s wife and long-time muse in his life in abroad since his mysterious self-exile, which many said was eventuated by the unspoken agony stemming from the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu, the father of the nation, was beside him also in his last journey to eternity.
However, among eminent personalities who addressed in the funeral, Ramendu Majumder said Quaderi will remain among us, in our memories, in our thoughts a long time.
There was his son, standing solemnly beside the coffin, overwhelmed with flowers and tributes of his fans, friends, relatives, cultural and political organisations and its activists.
Awami Lague’s Joint General Secretary and former foreign minister Dipu Moni led the procession of Awami League to pay the last tribute.
Last respect was paid on behalf of Workers’ Party, Communist Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Gono Songhoti, Jubo Moitri, among other political organisations, while Jatiya Kobita Parishad, Srot Abritti Sangshad, Jibanananda Shahitya Parishad, Kanthashilon, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Sector Commanders Forum, Group Theatre Federation among cultural organisations also paid floral tribute.
Also Bangla Academy Director General Samsuzzaman Khan, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Jagannath University Vice Chancellor Mijanur Rahman, PSC Chairman Md Sadik led the delegation of the respective institution to pay respect to the poet.
Ahkamullah recited his one of the most celebrated poems, also of the Bengali poetry, Tomake Ovibadan Priyatama. A patriotic Tagore song, O Amar Desher Mati was also sung by the singers of Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sommilon Parishad to remember the love that the poet had for the country.
Prominent theatre personality, and a friend of the poet, Mamunur Rashid said he was a cosmopolitan; however, the place of Bangladesh was above everything to him.
Among who also addressed the grief-stricken crowd bidding farewell to the leading poet were Muhammad Samad, Mafidul Haq, Shihab Sarkar.
The speakers thanked prime minister for her initiative to bring his body to the country.
The ceremony was organised by Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, conducted by Golam Kuddus.
The ceremony was followed by a Namaz-e-Zanaja held at the central mosque at Dhaka University.
He was later laid to rest at the Martyr intellectuals’ Graveyard in the capital.
The poet died at a New York hospital on Sunday at 74. He breathed a fresh air into poetry by introducing urbanism and a sense of modernity in his writing.
Qadri stopped writing after the publication of his third book and moved to London and from there to Germany. He moved to the US in the mid-80’s.
Shahid Qadri was born in Calcutta, in August, 1942. His first poetry, Uttaradhikar, was published in 1967. He achieved highest literary award Bangla Academy Award in 1967 and highest civilian award Ekushey Padak in 2011.
A public mourning will be held on September 7 at Bangla Academy jointly organised by Bangla Academy, Jatiya Kabita Parishad and Sammilito Sangskritik Jote.
* Shahid Qadri dies