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Today marks the 95th birth anniversary of pre-eminent poet Shamsur Rahman. Different social, literary and cultural organisations have chalked out various programmes mark the day.

One of the most acclaimed poets of contemporary Bangla literature Shamsur Rahman was born on 23 October 1929, to Mokhlesur Rahman Choudhury and Amena Khatun at his grandfather’s house in Mahuttuli, Dhaka.

His first book of poetry “Prothom Gaan Dwityo Mrittyur Agey” was published in 1960. In the consequent years, he penned more than 60 books of poetry including “Roudro Korotite”, “Biddhasta Nilima”, “Buk Tar Bangladesher Hridoy”, “Hridoy Amar Prithibir Alo” and “Bondi Shibir Theke”.

Major themes in his poetry and writings include urban issues, natural beauty, human relationships, youth, romanticism, liberal humanism, democracy and religious fundamentalism.

He was a dexterous chronicler through his poems and a columnist and journalist too. He had served as the editor of a national daily, Dainik Bangla and the Weekly Bichitra in the 1980s.

For his contribution to Bengali literature, the poet received many prestigious awards in his lifetime including Ekushey Padak (1977), Independence Day Award (1991), Bangla Academy Literary Award (1969), Mitsubishi Award of Japan (1992), Ananda Puroshker from India (1994), TLM South Asian Literature Award for the Masters (2006) and others.

Rabindra Bharati University and Jadavpur University of India conferred honorary D. Lit. degrees on him.

Shamsur Rahman went through major cardiac surgery on two occasions. His health broke down at the end of the 1990s. He breathed his last on 17 August 2006 died at the age of 77.