Today marks the 52nd death anniversary of poet Farrukh Ahmed

Today is the 52nd death anniversary of Farrukh Ahmed, the poet of the Muslim Renaissance. He breathed his last on this day in 1974 at Eskaton Garden in the capital.

Farrukh Ahmed is one of the foremost poets of modern Bangla poetry. Although he carried the Islamic current of thought in the twentieth century, the technique and choice of words in his poetry shone with a distinctive character, and many aesthetics of modernity run through his verse.

According to critics, Farrukh Ahmed's creativity was original within the progression from romanticism to modernity. His poetry expressed the inspiration for the reawakening of Bengal's declined Muslim society.

Farrukh was a free-spirited, self-respecting and thoroughly high-calibre modern poet. The form and purity of Western modern poets' work were visible in his poetry, and he was a powerful voice against exploitation.

He was vocal at every stage, including the Language Movement of 1952, the Liberation War of 1971 and the mass movement against Ayub Shah. The poet's pen was always raised against oppression and persecution, and regardless of nation, religion or caste, he sang the praises of humanity and equality.

Poet Farrukh Ahmed was born on June 10, 1918, in Majhail village in Magura. His father's name was Syed Hatem Ali and his mother was Begum Rowshan Akhtar.

He passed his matriculation from Khulna Zilla School in 1937 and his IA from Ripon College in Kolkata in 1939. He later enrolled at Scottish Church College to study philosophy and English literature, but entered working life without sitting the examinations.

Although he served as acting editor of the monthly 'Mohammadi' in 1945, his permanent job was with Dhaka Betar, the radio. In November 1942 the poet married his cousin Syeda Tayeba Khatun Lili.

Although he moved through many branches of literature, Farrukh Ahmed's principal identity remained that of a poet. His notable books of verse include 'Sat Sagorer Majhi' (1944), 'Sirajam Munira' (1952), 'Noufel O Hatem' (1961) and 'Hatemtayi' (1966).

He also left his mark on writing for children. 'Pakhi'r Basa' (1965), 'Horofer Chhara' (1970) and 'Chharar Asor' (1970) are notable among his works for children.

In recognition of his literary work he received the Bangla Academy Award (1960), the President's Award Pride of Performance (1961), the Adamjee Award (1966) and the UNESCO Award (1966).

State honours continued after his death as well — he received the Ekushey Padak posthumously in 1977 and the Independence Award in 1980.

Fifty-two years after his death, on this day the poet's life and poetry have returned to the centre of remembrance — poetry in which, alongside the call for reawakening, humanity and equality were voiced with equal force.