Renowned poet Helal Hafiz, widely known as poet of rebellion and love, was laid to rest at the Martyred Intellectuals鈥� Graveyard at Mirpur in Dhaka on Saturday.
People from different walks of life, including law adviser Professor Asif Nazrul, cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, chief adviser鈥檚 press secretary Shafiqul Alam, poets, cultural activists, journalists, and the poet鈥檚 brothers Dulal Hafiz and Nehal Hafiz paid tribute to the poet by placing floral wreaths on his coffin at the Bangla Academy and the National Press Club in the capital.
His first namaz-e-janaza was held on the academy premises, and second namaz-e-janaza on the press club.
Referring to the poet鈥檚 first collection of poems titled Je Jale Agun Jwale, Farooki said that it was rare in the country鈥檚 culture and literature to become so much popular with the publication of only book.
Addressing the due recognition from the government, Farooki also said that a true writer did not write to get award. 鈥楤ut, it is the nation鈥檚 responsibility to express the gratitude towards writers with awards.鈥�
Helal Hafiz was not awarded with the Independence Award and the Ekushey Padak, said Farooki, adding, 鈥楾he ministry will take steps to pay due recognition to the poet.鈥�
Jatiya Kabita Parishad convener poet Mohon Raihan said that Helal Hafiz was a poet of rebellion and love.
Previous governments, however, failed to recognise the contributions of the poet but he was able to win the hearts of people, he said.
Mentioning that Helal Hafiz was a politically conscious poet and a true patriot, Mohon Raihan said, 鈥榃e widely used lines from the poem 鈥淣ishiddha Sampadakiya鈥� in posters, graffiti works and slogans to inspire people in different movements against oppression and autocracy.鈥�
Recitation artiste Rashid Kamal said that the poet dedicated his life to writing poems. 鈥楬e said in a poem that he wanted to earn the love from people when others wanted to earn money. He successfully achieved what he dreamt for.鈥�
The 76-year-old poet passed away on Friday.聽聽聽聽
Born on October 7, 1948, Helal Hafiz first collection of poems titled Je Jale Agun Jwale, published in 1986, earned him huge acclaim.
His second collection of poems titled Kabita Ekattar was published after a long hiatus of 26 years.
Helal Hafiz also worked as a journalist in several newspapers, including Purbadesh, Desh and Jugantar.
For his contribution to Bangla literature, he received different awards, including Jashore Sahitya Puraskar in 1986, and Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2013.