Bangladesh's top poet Shamsur Rahman passes away

Dhaka, Aug 17 (UNI) Bangladesh's renowned poet Shamsur Rahman died here this evening after spending 12 days in coma.

He was 77.

The celebrated poet was admitted to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on August 6 with multiple complexities and was on life support.

The life support was removed this evening with the consent of his family, sources said.

As the news broke, mourners in large numbers thronged the hospital to have a last glimpse of their beloved poet.

Rahman, considered the greatest poet of Bangladesh with more than 60 books to his credit, started writing poems after graduating from Dhaka College at the age of 18.

Rahman studied English literature from Dhaka University. He had a long career as a journalist and was the Editor of a national daily, Dainik Bangla.

Among the numerous awards that he won, include Bangla Academy Award (1969), Ekushey Padak (1977), and Swadhinata Award (1991).

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