Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah

Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah
রুদ্র মুহম্মদ শহিদুল্লাহ
Born
Mohammad Shahidullah[1]

(1956-10-16)16 October 1956
Mongla, Bagerhat district, East Pakistan
Died21 June 1991(1991-06-21) (aged 34)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
NationalityBangladeshi
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Poet
  • Author
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1982; div. 1986)​
AwardsEkushey Padak (2024, posthumously)[2]

Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah (Bengali: রুদ্র মুহম্মদ শহিদুল্লাহ; 16 October 1956 – 21 June 1991)[3] was a Bangladeshi poet[4][5] noted for his revolutionary and romantic poetry. He is considered one of the leading Bengali poets of the 1970s.[6] He received Munir Chaudhury Memorial Award in 1980[1] and Ekushey Padak in 2024 (33 years after his death)[7]

He is most notable for writing the song "ভালো আছি ভালো থেকো" (Bhālō āchi bhālō thēkō) also known as "আমার ভিতর বাহিরে অন্তরে অন্তরে"(Āmāra bhitara bāhirē antarē antarē). The song was later used in various Bengali movies and television dramas.

An English translation of Rudro's selected poems, titled 'Ruddro and Beyond' was made by editor and translator Nadira Bhabna and published in 2023.[8]

Life

Shahidullah was born on 16 October 1956 in Barisal.[1]

He was a student of Dhaka West End School and St. Joseph Higher Secondary School. He passed Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in 1973 and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) in 1975.[9] Then got his master's degree in Bangla from the University of Dhaka in 1983.[1]

In 1982, Taslima Nasrin fell in love with Rudra and fled home to marry him. They divorced in 1986. He died on 21 June 1991 as a result of drug abuse and depression.[citation needed]

Literary works

Collection of poems
  • Upodruto Upokul (1979)[6]
  • Firey Chai Swarno Gram (1981)[6]
  • Manusher Manchitra (1984)[6]
  • Chhobolo (1986)
  • Galpa (1987)
  • Diyechhilo Shokol Akash (1988)[6]
  • Moulik Mukhosh (1990)[6]
Poems
  • Abelay Shonkhhodhoni
  • Afim tobuo bhalo, Dhormo she to hemlock bish
  • E kemon bhranti aamar
  • Ek Glas Ondhokar Hate
  • Batashe lasher gondho
  • Bhalobashar somoy to nei
  • Bishbrikkho bhalobasha
  • Bish
  • Byatha da, buke rakhbo
  • Dure achho dure
  • Guccho kobita
  • Icchar Swar onyo rokom
  • Kotha Chilo Subinoy
  • Manusher Manchitro – 1[10]
  • Misile Notun Mukh
  • Mone Pore Sudurer Mastul
  • Chithi
  • Amar Bhitor Bahire Ontore Ontore
Short stories
  • Sonali Shishir
Play
  • Bish Briksher Bij

Awards

  • 1980: Munier Choudhury Memorial Literary Award for his poetry book, Upodruto Upokul.
  • 1981: Munier Choudhury Memorial Literary Award for his poetry book, Firey Chai Swarnagram.
  • 1997: Bangladesh Chalachitra Sangbadik Samity award (posthumous) for the poem Amar Bhitor Bahire Ontore Ontore
  • 2024: Ekushey Padak[11]

Rudra Mela

Rudra Smriti Sangsad organises an annual fair named Rudra Mela, in memory of poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Islam, Muhammad Saiful (2012). "Shahidullah, Rudra Muhammad". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  2. ^ "Poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah among 21 winners of Ekushey Padak". bdnews24.com. 13 February 2024.
  3. ^ মংলায় নানা আয়োজনে প্রয়াত কবি রুদ্রের ৫৫তম জন্মবার্ষিকী পালিত [55th birth anniversary of Rudra]. Bangladesh First (in Bengali). 16 October 2011. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  4. ^ Khondakar Ashraf Hossain (2002). "Post-Liberation Bangla Literature: The State of the Art". In Ābadula Mamina Caudhurī (ed.). Bangladesh on the threshold of the twenty-first century. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. p. 248. Rudro Mohammad Shahidullah is by far the best among the poets of the seventies; his Manusher Manchitra is comparatively free from the tension and anger of the time. In this series of poems modelled upon A1 Mahmud's Sonal Kabin, Rudra tried to deal with the perennial struggle of the Bangalee peasant community against natural calamities and economic exploitations. But his poetic potential remained unrealized as he met on untimely death.
  5. ^ Geeti Sen (1 January 1998). Crossing Boundaries. Orient Blackswan. pp. 106–. ISBN 978-81-250-1341-9. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Rudra recalled in his verses". The Daily Star. 28 June 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  7. ^ "Poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah among 21 winners of Ekushey Padak". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Rudra's literary works embody love, rebellion, social justice: discussion". New Age. 27 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah's 33rd death anniv observed". bangladeshpost.net. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Boikuntho, group of reciters, turns 24". The Daily Star. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  11. ^ "Poet Rudra Muhammad Shahidullah among 21 winners of Ekushey Padak". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 13 February 2024.