Ekushey Padak-winning poet, researcher, editor and former literary editor of the daily Ittefaq, Al Mujahidi, passed away on Friday while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in the capital.
He was 83.
According to family members, Mujahidi died at 1:40pm after suffering multiple cardiac arrests during treatment. He had been battling blood infection, kidney complications and heart-related ailments.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the eminent poet, freedom fighter and journalist.
In a condolence message, the premier prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Tarique Rahman said Mujahidi had played a strong role throughout his life in favor of democracy, human rights, and the independence and sovereignty of the country.
“His death has created a profound void in our literary and cultural arena that will not be easy to fill,” the prime minister said.
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman also expressed deep shock at Mujahidi’s death and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
Mujahidi’s son, Shabib Al Mujahidi, said he was admitted to United Hospital on Wednesday in critical condition. Despite continuous efforts by doctors, he could not be revived after suffering another cardiac arrest on Friday afternoon.
His daughter, Mariyama Jabin Al Mujahidi, said her father had been suffering from various illnesses for nearly two years. He had undergone stent placement procedures twice and developed kidney complications after being diagnosed with chikungunya in July last year.
Born on January 1, 1943, in Naruchi village of Gopalpur upazila in Tangail, Al Mujahidi was the son of playwright and organizer Abdul Halim Jamali and lyricist and social worker Sakhina Khan.
Widely regarded as one of the prominent voices of Bengali poetry in the 1960s, he was known for blending modern poetic expression with rural folk traditions. Themes of nature, love, national consciousness and introspection featured prominently in his works.
Over a literary career spanning several decades, he made notable contributions to poetry, novels, short stories, essays, drama and translation literature, authoring more than 50 books.
Among his notable poetry collections are Hemloker Peyala, Dhrupad O Terracotta, Mrittika Atimrittika, Kaler Bandhishey, Kado Hiroshima Kando Nagasaki, Praccha Prithibi and Sondhar Brishti.
He also translated works by renowned poets including Kaifi Azmi, Ahmad Faraz and Heinrich Heine.
In his professional career, Mujahidi served for more than three decades as literary editor of Ittefaq. His edited literary magazine Notun Ek Matra continued publication until recently.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Bengali language and literature, he was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2003.
He also received several prestigious honors, including the Jibanananda Das Academy Award, Kazi Nazrul Islam Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Academy Award, Sher-e-Bangla Parishad Award and Joy Bangla Literary Award.
He is survived by his wife Polin Parveen, son Shabib Al Mujahidi, daughter Mariyama Jabin Al Mujahidi, grandchildren and numerous admirers.
His first namaz-e-janaza will be held at the National Press Club at 12 noon on Saturday. A second janaza will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Zuhr prayers, after which he will be laid to rest at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard.
