Veteran journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury passes away

Veteran journalist, columnist and lyricist of Ekushey February's signature song 'Amar vaiyer rokte rangano' Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury passed away at a hospital in UK on Thursday. He was 87.

The Bangladeshi born British writer breathed his last at 6:40 am local time in London.

Ekushey Padak winning journalist Swadesh Roy confirmed the news.

He was suffering from various old age complication for several months.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of veteran journalist, columnist, poet and writer Abdul Gaffar Choudhury.

In a message of condolence on Thursday, the premier prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Gaffar Chowdhury is perhaps best known for writing the lyrics to “Amar Bhaier Rôkte Rangano” which is the most widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement. It has been regarded by listeners of BBC Bengali Service as the third best song in Bengali.

He was born in the village of Ulania, Mehendiganj, Barisal in 1934. He graduated from Dhaka University in 1959 and went to England in 1974.

Choudhury worked as a journalist in different national newspapers in Dhaka. During the 1971 Bangladeshi Liberation War, he worked for Joy Bangla, Jugantar and Anandabazar Patrika. In the UK, he had been publishing a newspaper named ‘Notun Din’.

He wrote more than 35 five books. Some of his notable works are:”Danpithe Shawkat”, “Chandrodwiper Upakhyan”, “Nam Na Jana Bhore”, “Nil Jamuna”, “Shesh Rajanir Chand”, “Polashi Thekey Dhanmondi” and “Bastobotar Nirikhey.

He had been living in London from where he regularly wrote columns in Bangladesh’s national dailies, in Bengali newspapers of Bengali community and in a daily newspaper in Kolkata.

He produced a film on the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called ‘Polashi Theke Dhanmondi’.

The multitalented personality has received many awards for his immense contributions to journalism and literature, such as, Bangla Academy Award, Ekushey Padak, UNESCO Literary Award, Bangabandhu Award, Shanghati Lifetime Achievement Award, Sadhinota Padak, Manik Miah Padak, and PIB-Sohel Samad Memorial Award.