Published : 25 Sep 2026, 02:19 PM
Updated : 25 Sep 2026, 02:19 PM
While the midday sun exuded its heat overhead, hundreds of people have gathered to bid a final farewell to poet and children’s author Akhtar Hussain as he left for eternity.
Akhtar’s body was brought to the Central Shaheed Minar at 10am on Friday.
The Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi, Central Khelaghar, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Satyen Sen Shilpigosthi and Jatiya Shikkha Sangskriti Andolon paid tribute to him with flowers.
Recalling his father at the memorial, his younger son Promit Hussain said: “My father was a humane person. One night, my father came home without a shirt. We asked him ‘Father, why are you shirtless?’ He said ‘I saw a boy on the road. A few people had beaten him and torn his shirt. So I gave him my shirt.’ He always loved people and wished the best for everyone.”
He said, “When my father was ill, he had lost hope this time. He was deeply saddened after seeing the financial hardship of his fellow artists. We have seen that many artists in Bangladesh do not even have the means to afford basic medical treatment.”
“So, my father’s final wish was ‘No other artist should have to suffer like this’. We hope all of you will stand beside artists.”
Taslima Akter, who came from Bailey Road to pay her respects, said: “Akhtar Bhai was an inspiration to us. What did he not contribute to—literature, politics, music and so much more? The departure of such a person is a great loss for us.”
Former Chhatra Union leader Rajib Hasan said, “When we were involved with the Chhatra Union, it was a golden era. We had the opportunity to learn from extraordinary people. Akhtar Bhai was one of them.
“Whenever I was in doubt about something, I would go to Akhtar Bhai. I would often call him. He would answer sternly ‘Yes, tell me’. Then he would guide me on what to do and what should be done. Today, I have lost a political mentor.”
The farewell ceremony at the Central Shaheed Minar concluded with the national anthem and the Chhatra Union’s organisational song, in remembrance of Akhtar. The police then gave the freedom fighter a guard of honour.
After the tributes, his body was taken to Sirajganj around 11:30am. He will be buried beside his wife’s grave.
Akhtar died at Bangladesh Medical University on Thursday afternoon after suffering a brain haemorrhage and other complications.
He had been suffering from heart disease and uncontrolled diabetes for a long time.
For more than six decades, he wrote for children and adolescents, publishing more than 100 books, including original rhymes and children’s books, biographies, translations and edited works.
He also holds the distinction of having contributed the highest number of entries to the five-volume Shishu-Bishwakosh (Children’s Encyclopaedia), published by the Bangladesh Shishu Academy.
His books include Samudra Onek Boro, Ramdhonuker Sako, Ultopalta, Halchal, Amar Duto Daana, O Hawa O Hawa, Paji Beraler Shasti, Freedom Fighter, Karnakusum O Kalopakhar Projapati, Khelaghorer Putulgulo, and Chhotoder Charon Kobi Mukundadas.
For his contributions to literature, Akhtar Hossain received the Bangla Academy Award, Agrani Bank-Shishu Academy Children’s Literature Award, Alaol Literary Award, Bhasha Shaheed Abdul Jabbar Memorial Medal, the Freedom Fighter Pen-Soldier Recognition Award from the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka, Moniruddin Yusuf Literary Award, M Nurul Kader Children’s Literature Award, Bazlur Rahman Memorial Medal and various other honours.
A Fellow of the Bangla Academy, Akhtar Hussain was a founding member of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi.
He wrote and directed many of the organisation’s early theatrical productions.
As an organiser of the children’s organisation Khelaghar, Akhtar played an important role in the country’s cultural movement.
He also penned the Chhatra Union’s organisational song as well as Khelaghar’s song.
