Poet Al Mahmud hospitalized

Noted poet Al Mahmud has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Ibn Sina Hospital at Dhanmondi in Dhaka.

Abid Azam, personal assistant of the poet, confirmed the matter to journalists saying that Al Mahmud was hospitalized as he fell sick on Friday evening. 

Mahmud was born on born on 11 July, 1936. He is considered one of the greatest Bengali poets to have emerged in the 20th century.

His work in Bengali poetry is dominated by his frequent use of regional dialects.

In the 1950s he was among those Bengali poets who were outspoken in their writing on such subjects as the events of the Bengali Language Movement, nationalism, political and economic repression, and the struggle against the West Pakistani government.

Mahmud started his career as a journalist. He obtained widespread recognition after Lok Lokantor was published in 1963. 

In succession, he wrote Kaler Kalosh (1966), Sonali Kabin (1966) and Mayabi Porda Dule Otho (1976). 

His other notable poetical works include, Arobbo Rojonir Rajhash, Bakhtiyarer Ghora and Nodir Bhitorer Nodi. 

In addition to writing poetry, he has written short stories, novels and essays such as Pankourir Rakta and Upamohadesh. He took part in the Liberation War of Bangladesh as a freedom fighter in 1971.