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Hundreds of people gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Friday morning to pay their final respects to poet and children’s writer Akhtar Hossain under the scorching sun.
His body was brought to the Shaheed Minar around 10am, where various cultural, political and labour organisations placed floral wreaths in his honour, including Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, Kendriya Khelaghar, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi and the National Education-Culture Movement.
Recalling his father, Akhtar Hossain’s younger son Promit Hossain said he was a deeply humane person who always cared for others.
“Once my father returned home at night without a shirt. When we asked why, he told us that he had seen a boy being beaten on the street and that the boy’s shirt had been torn, so he gave him his own shirt,” Promit said.
He said his father had been deeply distressed by the hardships faced by fellow artists during his illness.
“Many artists in Bangladesh cannot even afford basic medical treatment. My father’s last wish was that no artist should have to suffer this way. We urge you to stand by artists,” he said.
Those who came to pay their respects also recalled Akhtar Hossain’s contributions to literature, politics and cultural movements.
Former Chhatra Union leader Rajib Hasan described him as a political mentor who would offer guidance whenever he faced difficulties or uncertainty.
The farewell ceremony concluded with the national anthem and Chhatra Union’s organisational song, followed by a police guard of honour for the freedom fighter.
The body was taken to Sirajganj around 11:30am, where he will be buried beside his wife’s grave.
Akhtar Hossain died at Bangladesh Medical University on Thursday afternoon after suffering a brain haemorrhage and other complications. He had long been suffering from heart disease and uncontrolled diabetes.
He had written for children and adolescents for more than six decades. His published works, including rhymes, children’s books, biographies, translations and edited volumes, number more than 100.
He also wrote the largest number of entries for the five-volume Shishu-Bishwakosh, published by the Bangladesh Shishu Academy.
Among his notable books are Samudra Onek Boro, Ramdhanuker Sankoo, Ulto Palta, Halchal, Amar Duto Dana, O Hawa O Hawa, Paji Beraler Shasti, Freedom Fighter, Karnakusum O Kalopakar Projapoti, Khelaghorer Putulgulo and Chhotoder Charan Kobi Mukundadas.
For his contribution to literature, Akhtar Hossain received the Bangla Academy Award, Agrani Bank-Shishu Academy Children’s Literature Award, Alaol Literary Award and several other honours.
A fellow of the Bangla Academy, he was also a founding member of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi and wrote and directed many of its early plays.
As an organiser of the children’s organisation Khelaghar, he played an important role in Bangladesh’s cultural movement.
He also wrote Chhatra Union’s organisational song, Amra To Oikyer Drirh Bole Boliyaan, Shoshaner Karagar Bhangboi, and Khelaghar’s song, Amra To Soinik, Shantir Soinik.
