Ekushey Padak winning poet Al Mujahidi dies

Ekushey Padak-winning poet and literary figure Al Mujahidi passed away on Thursday at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a rich legacy in Bangladeshi literature and journalism.
He breathed his last at around 11:00am at United Hospital in Gulshan, according to fellow poet Abdul Hye Shikdar.

His son, Shabib Al Mujahidi, said the veteran poet had been admitted to the hospital on Wednesday after suffering multiple cardiac arrests.

“He was battling blood infection, kidney failure and heart failure simultaneously,” Shabib told reporters. “He suffered another cardiac arrest around 1:00pm. Despite efforts to revive him through shock therapy, he could not be saved.”

Family members said Mujahidi had been struggling with heart disease, stroke-related complications and kidney ailments for the past year, requiring frequent hospitalisation.

He was admitted to a private hospital from April 23 to May 26 for treatment of heart and kidney complications. After briefly returning home, his health deteriorated again, leading to another hospital stay in Uttara from June 4 to June 15. He was later shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Uttara Crescent Hospital on June 16 after his condition worsened.

Born on January 1, 1943, Al Mujahidi was a distinguished poet, researcher, editor and literary personality, widely regarded as one of the leading voices of Bangla poetry in the 1960s.

His writings drew inspiration from Bangladesh’s history, culture, people and natural landscape. Themes of love, patriotism, nature and human consciousness were central to his literary works.

Over a career spanning several decades, he authored more than 50 books, including poetry collections, novels, short stories, plays and essays.

Mujahidi also made significant contributions to journalism, serving for many years as the literary editor of The Daily Ittefaq, where he played an influential role in mentoring and promoting emerging writers.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Bangla language and literature, the Government of Bangladesh awarded him the prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2003.

His death marks the end of an era in Bangladesh’s literary landscape, leaving behind a lasting influence on generations of readers and writers.