Search engine giant, Google, has created a new Doodle on its homepage, in Bangladesh, celebrating the life of Bangladeshi poet, columnist, and journalist Shamsur Rahman—to mark the 89th anniversary of his birth.
Shamsur Rahman, who emerged as a key figure of Bangali literature in the latter half of the 20th century, published more than sixty poetry books.
He was born in Dhaka, reports UNB.
While studying English literature at the University of Dhaka, the Bangladeshi poet joined a student group known as the Progressive Writers and Artists Association, reading his verse at Madhu's Canteen and staunchly supporting the movement to retain Bangla as the official language of East Pakistan—now Bangladesh.
After graduating in 1953, Shamsur went on to make his living working for Radio Pakistan and as an editor at the daily newspaper Dainik Bangla.
He is also remembered as the "unofficial poet laureate of Bangladesh." His poems range from love sonnets, to patriotic verses, to whimsical lines about his cat. His well-known 1971 poem, "Shadhinota Tumi" (Ode to Freedom) was written in the throes of Bangladesh's battle for independence from Pakistan.
Shamsur Rahman’s life and work earned him numerous accolades, including the Bangla Academy Award, the Ekushey Padak, and the Shadhinota Award—the highest honor given by the government.
On August 17, 2006, he died of heart and kidney failure after having been in a coma for 12 days.
