Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah | |
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রুদ্র মুহম্মদ শহিদুল্লাহ | |
Born | Mohammad Shahidullah[1] 16 October 1956 |
Died | 21 June 1991 Dhaka, Bangladesh | (aged 34)
Nationality | Bangladeshi |
Alma mater | |
Occupations |
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Spouse | |
Awards | Ekushey Padak (2024, posthumously)[2] |
Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah (Bengali: রুদ্র মুহম্মদ শহিদুল্লাহ; 16 October 1956 – 21 June 1991)[3] was a Bangladeshi poet[4][5] noted for his revolutionary and romantic poetry. He is considered one of the leading Bengali poets of the 1970s.[6] He received Munir Chaudhury Memorial Award in 1980[1] and Ekushey Padak in 2024 (33 years after his death)[7]
He is most notable for writing the song "ভালো আছি ভালো থেকো" (Bhālō āchi bhālō thēkō) also known as "আমার ভিতর বাহিরে অন্তরে অন্তরে"(Āmāra bhitara bāhirē antarē antarē). The song was later used in various Bengali movies and television dramas.
An English translation of Rudro's selected poems, titled 'Ruddro and Beyond' was made by editor and translator Nadira Bhabna and published in 2023.[8]
Rudro Mohammad Shahidullah is by far the best among the poets of the seventies; his Manusher Manchitra is comparatively free from the tension and anger of the time. In this series of poems modelled upon A1 Mahmud's Sonal Kabin, Rudra tried to deal with the perennial struggle of the Bangalee peasant community against natural calamities and economic exploitations. But his poetic potential remained unrealized as he met on untimely death.