Poet Abu Bakar Siddique passes away

The poet had been suffering from old-age complications for a long time.

Eminent poet Abu Bakar Siddique, also father of Bidisha Ershad, passed away at a hospital in Khulna city early Thursday. He was 91. 

The poet had been suffering from old-age complications for a long time.  

As his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to Khulna City Medial College Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, where he breathed his last at around 5:45am Thursday. 

Bidisha Ershad confirmed her father’s death on social media. 

Abu Bakar Siddique is survived by five daughters and one son.

The poet’s nephew, Md Shariful Islam, said his namaz-e-janaza will be held at Shahid Hadis Park in Khulna after Zohr prayers on Thursday.

He published many books including more than 20 books of poetry, four novels, 15 stories and one book of rhymes.

He was born on August 19, 1934 in Gotapara, Bagerhat.

Abu Bakar obtained his master's degree in 1958 from the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University and chose teaching as his profession. He taught successively at Chakhar Fazlul Haque College, Daulatpur BL College, Kushtia College, Bagerhat PC College and Rajshahi University.

He retired in 1994 as an associate professor of Bangla at Rajshahi University. 

Then he taught at Queen's University and Notre Dame College in Dhaka.

His novels are “Jalarakshas,” “Kharadaha,” “Barudpora Prohor” and “Ekatturer Hridobhasma.”

Abu Bakar Siddique received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1988.

He also won the Bangladesh Kathashilpi Sangsad Prize, Bangabhasha Sanskriti Prasar Samity Award, Khulna Sahitya Parishad Award, Bagerhat Foundation Award, Rishij Medal and Bangladesh Lekhika Sangha Gold Medal, among others.