Eminent lyricist, educationist, litterateur and poet Dr. Mohammad Moniruzzamn (72) passed away on September 3 at the Bangladesh Medical College Hospital. He had an open-heart surgery recently. He was also suffering from kidney related ailments. The demise of Mohammad Moniruzzamn caused a wave of mourning in the cultural arena.
Born on August 15, 1936 in Jessore, Dr. Moniruzzaman did his honours and masters in Bangla and Literature from the University of Dhaka (DU). He completed his PhD in 1969 and joined the Bangla Department, DU as a fellow in 1959 and as a teacher in 1962. He became the chairman of the department in 1972.
His versatile talent left a mark in various sectors of our cultural arena. One of the most successful lyricists in the '60s, he had written classics -- Amar desher matir gondhey, Tumi ki dekhechho kobhu, Asru diye lekha e gaan, Protidin tomaye dekhi shurjolokey, Premer naam bedona, Holud bato mehdi bato, Charagachhe phul phuitachhe and many more.
His poem, Kobita-e aar ki likhbo/ Jokhon buk-er roktey likhechi/ Ekti naam/ Bangladesh, deserves special recognition among the poems on Liberation War. Durlobh Din, Shankito Alokey, Protonu Protyasha Biponno Bishad and Bhashamoy Projapoti are some of his notable collections of poems. His research-based works includes Bangla Kobita-e Chhondo, Adhunik Bangla Sahitya, Bangla Sahitya-e Bangaali Chetona, Adhunik Bangla Kobita and more.
Noted artiste Abdul Hadi said, “He was my teacher at DU and later I had the opportunity to interact with him personally. My first playback song from the film Dak Babu was written by him. As a teacher, as a lyricist, as a poet, as a cultural activist and above all as a person, he was an ideal human being.”
Mohammad Moniruzzaman left behind a son, a daughter, wife and a number of admirers and well wishers. His younger brother Rafiquzzaman is also a noted lyricist. Mohammad Moniruzzaman received several awards including Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Padak and Alaol Padak for his contribution to Bangla language and literature.
His namaz-e-janaza was held yesterday at the Central Mosque, DU. Moniruzzaman will be buried in his hometown Jessore.