Economist, singer and first Planning Commission member Anisur Rahman is dead at 91

He was also well-known as a Rabindra Sangeet artist and researcher, and he was associated with Chhayanaut. He authored numerous writings

Anisur Rahman, a member of the first Planning Commission after independence, economist, and musician, is no more.

He passed away at 1:10pm on Sunday at United Hospital in Dhaka, his personal assistant Abdul Jalil told bdnews24.com.

Anisur Rahman was 91 years old. Due to illness, he had been bedridden for a long time. Jalil was responsible for his care, as Rahman’s family members live abroad.

Jalil said, "Sir had been ill for several years and had to stay in bed. He stopped eating from Saturday, and by night he started having breathing difficulties. He was taken to the hospital at around 4am, and by noon, the doctor declared him dead."

The aide added that the family members will decide on the burial arrangements once they arrive in Bangladesh. "The body is currently being kept in the mortuary at BIRDEM Hospital," he said.

Anisur Rahman, who studied economics at Dhaka University and Harvard University, taught at both Dhaka University and Islamabad University.

RENOWNED TAGORE SONG ARTIST AND RESEARCHER

Professor Rahman was also known as a Rabindra Sangeet, or Tagore song, artist and researcher. He was associated with Chhayanaut and authored a significant body of work.

His autobiographical book, Pothe Ja Peyechhi -- What I Found Along the Way -- was published in two volumes by Adorn Publications.

Syed Zakir Hossain, the publisher of Adorn, told bdnews24.com, “At one time, Adorn Publications' office was located on the ground floor of Sir’s house. I had the privilege of spending a lot of time with him because of that.

“During the COVID pandemic, Sir suffered a stroke. Since then, his health had not been good. He was mostly bedridden and, in recent years, was unable to recognise many people.”

Anisur Rahman was born in 1933 in Mymensingh. In the 1960s, he assisted in drafting the Six-Point Charter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He was also an organiser during the War of Independence from Pakistan.

After independence, under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, he joined the first Planning Commission of Bangladesh alongside economist Nurul Islam.

Communist Party of Bangladesh General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince told bdnews24.com, “Losing a thoughtful economist like him is a profound sorrow for us.

“His family members will decide on the burial arrangements after arriving from abroad. However, before the burial, people from all walks of life will pay their respects to him at the Central Shaheed Minar.”

Among Anisur Rahman’s notable publications are “Unnayan Jiggasha” (Questions on Development), “Opohrito Bangladesh” (Kidnapped Bangladesh), “People’s Self Development”, “Oshimer Spondon: Rabindrasangeet Bodh O Sadhona” (The Vibration of Infinity: Understanding and Practice of Rabindra Sangeet), “Je Agun Jolechhilo: Muktijuddher Chetonar Sbataḥsphurto Prokash” (The Fire That Burned: Spontaneous Expression of Liberation War Spirit), “Songs of Tagore, Philosophy, Selected Translations – Paintings”, “Participation of the Rural Poor in Development”, and “My Story of 1971”.