Shahid Qadri, leading contemporary Bengali poet, dies at 74

Shahid Qadri, who is considered one of the leading contemporary Bengali poets, has died in New York at the age of 74.

New York Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 28 August 2016, 01:27 PM
Updated : 28 August 2016, 06:15 PM

The poet breathed his last in North Shore University Hospital at 7am (local time) on Sunday, his wife Neera Qadri told bdnews24.com.

He was hospitalised with high blood pressure and fever a week ago.

Earlier on Wednesday, Neera said his condition had improved slightly.

Expatriate journalist Akbar Haider Kiron, quoting doctors, said Shahid Qadri was suffering from kidney complications and pneumonia.

Shahid Qadri is one of the prominent poets of post-1947 Bengali poetry, who brought in a fresh air by introducing urbanism and a sense of modernity in terms of the use of urban-life-related diction. 

His poetry is infused with patriotism, cosmopolitanism and universalism at a time. 

While it deals with nature and urbanity, it delves deep into the conflicts and the sense of alienation pervading our modern life. For his poetry, he was awarded Bangla Academy Award in 1973.
He received the Ekushey Padak for his contribution to language and literature in 2011.
Famous for books such as Uttaradhikar (Inheritance), Tomake Obhibadon Priyatama (Salute to You, Dearest), Prem Biraha Bhalobasar Kabita (Poems of Love and Separation), Kothao Kono Krondon Nei  (Weepings Nowhere), Amar Chumbangullo Pouchhiye Dio (Please, Convey My Kisses), the Bangladeshi poet left Bangladesh in 1978.
After visiting Germany and England, he settled in the US.
Bangladesh awaits his remains

The poet's wife said the body would be taken back to Bangladesh following his wish.
"He said yesterday that he wanted to go to Bangladesh," Neera told bdnews24.com at the hospital.
Bangladesh Kabita Parishad President Muhammad Samad, quoting her, said the poet's last wish was to be buried at Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard in Mirpur.
Samad said the body would be kept at the Central Shaheed Minar for people to pay their respect.
He said the date to bring the remains back to Bangladesh would be set once the hospital releases them.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has mourned the demise of the poet.
"The contemporary Bengali poetry has lost a bright star in the death of Shahid Qadri," she said in a message.
Hasina also extended sympathy to the grieving family.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor has also expressed his sadness at the passing of the poet.