Rafiq Azad, Bangladeshi poet, Died at 74

  Writers

Rafiq Azad was born on February 14, 1942, and died on March 12, 2016.

He was a Bangladeshi poet, editor, and writer.

Azad was credited with 45 collections of poetry including Prakriti O Premer Kabita, Asambhaber Paye, Sahasra Sundar, Haturir Nichae Jiban, Khub Beshi Durea Noy, Khamakaro Bahaman Hey Udar Amiyo Batas and others.

Rafiq was most popular for his poem ‘Bhaat de haramjada’ (Give me food, bastard) which was written during the famine of 1974.

Those particular lines from the poem became a popular catch phrase among young people who used them to protest political and social injustices in Bangladesh.

The poet took part in the war against the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971 Liberation War and was awarded ‘Notable Freedom Fighter Award” in 1997.

Azad has also received prestigious national award Ekushey Padak in 2013 and Bangla Academy Award in 1984.

Rafiq Azad passed away at 74 yrs old.