Samudra Gupta (poet)

This article is about the Bangladeshi journalist and poet. For the Gupta Emperor, see Samudragupta.

Samudra Gupta (poet)
Born	Abdul Mannan (1946-06-23)23 June 1946 Hashil village, Sirajganj sub-division, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died	19 July 2008(2008-07-19) (aged 62)
Resting place	Martyred Intellectuals Memorial
Nationality	Bangladeshi
Occupation(s)	Poet and journalist

Samudra Gupta (born Abdul Mannan; June 23, 1946 – July 19, 2008) was a Bangladeshi poet and journalist. Gupta was a strong critic of both communalism and Islamic fundamentalism, and expressed his opposition to these ideologies within his writings.[1]

Early life

Gupta was born Abdul Mannan on June 23, 1946, in Hashil village in Sirajganj sub-division.[1][2] He was the fifth of Mohsin Ali and Rehana Ali's seven sons and one daughter.[3] He completed his secondary education at Dhunat High School in Bogra in 1962, and higher secondary at Salimullah College in Dhaka in 1964.[4]

Career

Mannan adopted the pseudonym of Samudra Gupta during the 1960s and was recognized by his pen name during his life and career.[1] He took part in the start of the uprising against Pakistan beginning in 1969 and fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War.[1]

Gupta was originally a journalist by profession.[1] He worked as different daily and weekly newspapers throughout Bangladesh.[1] He also served as the general secretary of the Bangladesh National Poetry Council.[1][5] He was an advisor of Bengali Language learning programme.[6]

Gupta's first book of poetry, Rode Jholshano Mukh, was published in 1977.[7] He wrote thirteen books of poetry during his career, as well as one work of fiction and an additional book of poetry as a collaboration with another writer.[1] He also released many articles and short stories and served as the editor of several books.[1]

Gupta's most notable writings include Rode Jholshano Mukh, Swapnamongol Kabyo, Ekhono Utthan Achhey, Chokhey Chokh Rekhey, Ekaki Roudrer Dike and Shekorer Shokey.[1] His writings have been translated from Bengali into Chinese, French, Sinhalese, English, Hindi, Japanese, Urdu, Norwegian and Nepali.[1]

Personal life

Gupta was married to Happy Samudra.[8] They had two daughters, Neel Samudra and Swapno Samudra.[8]

Death and legacy

Gupta died of gallbladder cancer on July 19, 2008, at the Narayana Hridayalaya Hospital in Bangalore, India.[1][9] Jatiya Kabita Parishad had organized fund raisers for his treatment.[10] He had been hospitalized in India for treatment since July 3, 2008.[1] He was buried at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial.[11] The 2009 National Poetry Festival was dedicated to him.[12]

Awards

• Lekhak Shibir (1977)[4]
• Jessore Literature Award (1990)[4]
• Poet Vishnu Dey Award (1995)[4]
• Humayun Kabir Award
• Language Day Honour by the government of Tripura[1]

References

1. "Poet Samudra Gupta passes away". The Daily Star. 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
2. Islam, Manu (2001). Who's who in Bangladesh 2000. Centre for Bangladesh Culture. p. 156.
3. দ্রোহের কবি সমুদ্র গুপ্ত. Dainik Azadi (in Bengali). 26 January 2024.
4. Hossain, Selina; Islam, Nurul; Hossain, Mobarak, eds. (2000). Bangla Academy Dictionary of Writers. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. p. 198-199. ISBN 984-07-4052-0.
5. "Bangladesh mourns death of poet Samudra Gupta". TwoCircles.net. 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
6. "Learning Bengali through English language". Bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
7. Saiful, Saifuddin (21 June 2019). স্বপ্নবাদী কবি সমুদ্র গুপ্ত. Protidiner Sangbad (in Bengali).
8. "Reminiscence on poet Samudra Gupta". The Daily Star. 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
9. Mostafa, Golam; Sirajganj (2008-06-21). "Fundraiser for poet Samudra Gupta in Sirajganj". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
10. "Help save life of Samudra Gupta". The Daily Star. 2008-06-02. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
11. "Poet Samudra Gupta to be buried today". The Daily Star. 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
12. "Jatiya Kabita Utsab begins". The Daily Star. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2024-12-03.