Poet, Bangla Academy DG Habibullah Sirajee passes away

Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Sirajee passed away on Monday night at a hospital in Dhaka. He was 72.

The Ekushey Padak-winning poet was on life support at the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital since April 27 due to stomach-related complications, reports UNB.

He passed away at 11pm, Bangla Academy Secretary and acting director general AHM Lokman told the news agency. 

Sirajee was hospitalized on April 25 and shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to severe complication in his intestine and the digestive system. A medical board was formed for his treatment. 

The poet had undergone an operation on April 27. He had other health complications including peptic ulcer.

He left behind wife, sons and a host of relatives and well wishers to mourn his death.

The body of Sirajee was taken from his Dhanmondi residence to the Bangla Academy on Tuesday morning for everyone to pay their last respect. 

His first namaz-e-janaza was also held on the premises of Bangla Academy. 

People from all walks of life attend the namaz-e-janaza of Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Sirajee on the academy premises on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 | Focus Bangla

Led by Bangla Academy Secretary AHM Lokman, officers and employees of Bangla Academy paid their last respect to the late director general there.

Family members of the late poet were also present at the time.

On behalf of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, State Minister K M Khalid and Cultural Secretary M Badrul Arefin paid tributes by laying wreaths at his coffin.

Sirajee was laid to eternal rest at the Azimpur graveyard in the city following his second namaz-e-janaza on Tuesday evening.

Members of various social, political and cultural organizations also paid their tributes to Poet and Writer Habibullah Siraji by placing wreaths.

Meanwhile, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow at the demise of the Bangla Academy director general, reports BSS.

In a condolence message, Hasina said Habibullah Sirajee highlighted the War of Liberation and progressiveness in his poem and work, which will be remembered to the readers.

Both the president and the premier prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Cabinet members, politicians, academicians, and different socio-cultural organizations mourned the death of the poet and writer.

Sirajee took charge as the director general of Bangla Academy on December 20, 2018. 

Born on December 31, 1948 in Faridpur, the poet studied at the country's apex engineering university Buet (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology).

He authored around 50 books which included literature, article and memoirs during his lifetime. 

One of the founders and former president of Jatiya Kabita Parishad (National Poetry Council), Sirajee was conferred with the Ekushey Padak in 2016 and Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1991 for his contribution to poetry.

Sirajee was also adorned with various awards like Jessore Shahitya Parishad Award (1987), Alaol Literary Award (1989), Bishnu Dey Award (2007), Ruposhi Bangla Award, India (2010), and Mahadiganta Award, India (2011).