Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah, one of the leading poets of Bangladesh, passed away on this day. He was 34.

His poetry was remarkable for its passion, power and lyrical beauty, as well as its politics, as his voice was a strong protest against oppression and injustice. He began to be read after Bangladesh won its independence. He was almost a cult figure at the time of his death.

He is remembered most for the popular song Amar bhitore bahire antare antare achho tumi, which has been sung by numerous artistes and used in films and television. He wrote its words and also set it to music. But in his brief life, he had written much else, including at least 10 published volumes of poetry, for which he remains loved and admired.

In Bangladesh, he was awarded Munir Chaudhury Memorial Award in 1980 and posthumously, Ekushey Padak, in 2024.

Rudra Smriti Sangsad holds an annual fair called Rudra Mela in Bangladesh in his memory.

He was briefly married to writer Taslima Nasreen.

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