Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah

Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah
রুদ্র মুহম্মদ শহিদুল্লাহ
Born
Mohammad Shahidullah

16 October 1956
Mongla, Bagerhat district, East Pakistan, (Present-day Bangladesh)
Died 21 June 1991 (aged 34)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Nationality Bangladeshi
Alma mater Dhaka College
University of Dhaka
Occupations
  • Poet
  • Author
Spouse
(m. 1982; div. 1986)

Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah (Bengali: রুদ্র মুহম্মদ শহিদুল্লাহ; 16 October 1956 – 21 June 1991) was a Bangladeshi poet noted for his revolutionary and romantic poetry. He is considered one of the leading Bengali poets of the 1970s. He received Munir Chaudhury Memorial Award in 1980.

He is most notable for writing the song "ভালো আছি ভালো থেকো" (Bhālō āchi bhālō thēkō) also known as "আমার ভিতর বাহিরে অন্তরে অন্তরে"(Āmāra bhitara bāhirē antarē antarē). The song was later used in various Bengali movies and television dramas.

Life

Shahidullah was born on 16 October 1956 in Barisal.

He was a student of Dhaka West End School. From this school he passed Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in 1973 and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) in 1975. Then got his master's degree in Bangla from the University of Dhaka in 1983.

In 1982, Taslima Nasrin fell in love with Rudra and fled home to marry him. They divorced in 1986. He died on 21 June 1991 as a result of drug abuse and depression.

Literary works

Collection of poems
  • Upodruto Upokul (1979)
  • Firey Chai Swarno Gram (1981)
  • Manusher Manchitra (1984)
  • Chhobolo (1986)
  • Galpa (1987)
  • Diyechhilo Shokol Akash (1988)
  • Moulik Mukhosh (1990)
Poems
  • Abelay Shonkhhodhoni
  • Afim tobuo bhalo, Dhormo she to hemlock bish
  • E kemon bhranti aamar
  • Ek Glas Ondhokar Hate
  • Batashe lasher gondho
  • Bhalobashar somoy to nei
  • Bishbrikkho bhalobasha
  • Bish
  • Byatha da, buke rakhbo
  • Dure achho dure
  • Guccho kobita
  • Icchar Swar onyo rokom
  • Kotha Chilo Subinoy
  • Manusher Manchitro – 1
  • Misile Notun Mukh
  • Mone Pore Sudurer Mastul
  • Chithi
  • Amar Bhitor Bahire Ontore Ontore
Short stories
  • Sonali Shishir
Play
  • Bish Briksher Bij

Awards

  • 1980: Munier Choudhury Memorial Literary Award for his poetry book, Upodruto Upokul.
  • 1981: Munier Choudhury Memorial Literary Award for his poetry book, Firey Chai Swarnagram.
  • 1997: Bangladesh Chalachitra Sangbadik Samity award (posthumous) for the poem Amar Bhitor Bahire Ontore Ontore

Rudra Mela

Rudra Smriti Sangsad organises an annual fair named Rudra Mela, in memory of poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah.