DHAKA: Search engine Google has created a new Doodle on its homepage celebrating the life of Bangladeshi poet of modern Bangla Literature Shamsur Rahman on the occasion of his 89th birth anniversary on Tuesday (October 23).

Columnist and journalist Shamsur Rahman (23 October 1929 - 17 August 2006) was born in his grandfather's house no. 46 in Mahut-Tuli, Dhaka. His paternal home is situated on the bank of the river Meghna, a village named Pahartoli, near the Raipura Police Station in Narshingdi district.

Shamsur Rahman wrote more than sixty books of poetry in the latter half of the 20th century and is considered as one of the key figures in Bengali literature.

He joined a student group known as Progressive Writers and Artists Association, while studying English literature at the University of Dhaka.

After graduating with honors in 1953, he started his work life for Dainik Morning News in 1957. Later, he went on to work for Radio Pakistan and an editor at the daily newspaper Dainik Bangla.

Shamsur Rahman’s well-known 1971 poem, "Shadhinota Tumi" (Ode to Freedom) was written in the throes of Bangladesh's battle for independence from Pakistan.

His was honored with Bangla Academy Award, Ekushey Padak and the Shadhinota Award, to name but a few.

He died on 17 August 2006 in Dhaka. 

BDST: 1144 HRS, OCT 23, 2018

AH