Akhter Hossain, a Bangla Academy Literary Award-winning children’s writer and founding organiser of Udichi, died on Thursday while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Medical University. He was 81.
His two sons Pantha and Promit confirmed his death.
Akhtar Hossain had been suffering from age-related ailments for a long time. He had also been battling cancer and recently suffered a brain haemorrhage.
He was initially admitted to a hospital in Farmgate area before being transferred to BIRDEM Hospital, Green Life Hospital and later Bangladesh Medical University. He had been on life support since last Friday.
He is survived by his two sons, relatives, friends and numerous admirers.
His work for children and young readers earned him a lasting place in Bangladesh’s literary scene. Among his notable edited works were collections on Bangabandhu, the Liberation War, anti-communal literature, patriotic songs and children’s poetry.
He also wrote biographies of Language Movement martyr Abdul Jabbar and young Liberation War martyrs Matiur Rahman and Habibur Rahman, among others. He also made significant contributions to the five-volume Shishu-Bishwakosh, published by the Bangladesh Shishu Academy.
Hossain was also actively involved in the cultural movement during the 1971 Liberation War. His song, “Swadhin Swadhin Dike Aj Jagchhe Bangalira, Ar Rukhbe Tader Kara,” was broadcast on Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and became widely popular.
For his contributions to literature and culture, Hossain received the Bangla Academy Literary Award, Alaol Literary Award, Bangladesh Shishu Academy Award and several other literary and cultural honours.
The date and time of his namaz-e-janaza and burial have not yet been announced.
However, his body will be kept at the Central Shaheed Minar from 10am to 11am on Friday to allow people from all walks of life to pay their last respects, said Ratan Kumar Das, a member of Udichi’s central committee.
He was born on November 1, 1945, in Nurullapur village of Lalpur upazila in Natore.
