Staff Reporter :
Celebrated writer and poet Syed Shamsul Haq was laid to eternal rest beside a mosque at the Kurigram Government College campus on Wednesday afternoon.
After his third namaz-e-janaza held on the college ground in Kurigram Sadar upazila, he was buried beside the mosque at about 4:40pm yesterday.
Syed Shamsul Haq, most eminent of contemporary Bangla poets, died on Tuesday at the age of 81 after long been fighting with deadly cancer at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of United Hospital in capital Dhaka where he was undergoing treatment for lung cancer after returning from London.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak were, among others, present during his burial. Haq’s body was taken to his birthplace, Kurigram, after the namaz-e-janaja earlier at the Dhaka University Central Mosque at 1.35pm.
Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram district said Syed Shamsul Haq expressed his desire to be buried on a land adjacent to Kurigram Government College when he attended a programme of the college as the chief guest this year.
Earlier, the body of Shamsul Haq was taken to Channel-i office, where his first namaj-e-janaza was held. After the namaz-ejanaza, his body was brought to Bangla Academy premises where, many eminent and promising writers, distinguished personalities and well-washers paid their last tribute to him.
His body was then taken to the Central Shahid Minar, where people of all levels paid their tributes turning the area as place of mass grief. Another janaza was held on the Dhaka University mosque premises from where his body was flown to his home district Kurigram.
Later his body was kept on the ground of Kurigram Government College, where local people paid their last homage to Syed Shamsul Haq.
In city’s Central Shaheed Minar area, thousands of people from all walks of life paid their last tribute to the celebrated poet and versatile writer and playwright.
Besides, fans, colleagues, relatives, political leaders, high officials and well-wishers thronged the Central Shaheed Minar premises to pay their last tribute to Shamsul Haq.
President Abdul Hamid paid last respect to Syed Shamsul Haq by placing wreath on his coffin kept at the Central Shaheed Minar. Later, he talked to Shamsul’s wife Anwara Syed Haq, son Ditio Syed-Haq and daughter Bidita Sadi and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Floral wreath was placed on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as mark of her last tribute to the celebrated litterateur, poet and dramatist.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, a team led by PM’s Military Secretary Major General Mia Mohammad Zainul Abedin and Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil placed wreath on the coffin of Syed Shamsul Haq at the Central Shahid Minar.
Sheikh Hasina is now in Washington in the last leg of her visit to USA in connection with UN General Assembly.
Born in Kurigram on 27 December, 1935 to father Syed Siddique Husain and mother Halima Khatun, Syed Shamsul Haq, commanded contemporary Bangla literature for over six decades as a literary giant.
Syed Shamsul Haq, popularly known as Syed Haq, wrote innumerable poetry, fiction, plays (mostly in verse), and essays. He wrote several film scripts and penned many patriotic songs. His literary works were included in the curriculum of school level, secondary, higher secondary and graduation level Bengali literature. A strong writer against the fundamentalism Haque received the Bangla Academy Award in 1966, Ekushey Padak in 1984 and Swadhinata Padak Award in 2000 for his contributions to Bangla literature.
Among his numerous literary works are: Ekoda Ek Rajje (Once upon a time in a kingdom, 1961),Boishekhe Rochito Ponktimala (Verses of Boishakh, 1969), Birotihin Utsob (The ceaseless festival, 1969), Protidhonigon (The echos, 1976), Opor Purush (The other man, 1978), Kobita Samagra (Collected Poems) in 3 Volumes (2007), Ek Ascharja Sangamer Smriti, Ek Mahilar Chhobi (Portrait of a Woman, 1959), Anupam Din (Best Days, 1962), Simana Chhariye (Beyond the Bounds, 1964), Neel Dangshon (The Blue Sting, 1981), Smritimedh (Massacre of Memory, 1986), Mrigayay Kalakshep (Spending Time in Deer Hunting, 1986), Payer Awaj Paoa Jay (We hear the footsteps), Nuruldiner Sara Jibon (The entire life of Nurul Din), Ekhane Ekhon (Here, now) and Ganonayaka (The public hero).
Earlier on April 9, he went to London for treatment of his ailing lungs, where tests detected cancer.
As doctors in London find no hope for cancer-stricken Syed Haq, he returned home.
He returned home on September 2 after four months of medical treatment at Royal Marsden Hospital in London. He had been undergoing treatment at the United Hospital since his return from London.
