Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of renowned poet Helal Hafiz, one of Bangladesh's most celebrated literary figures, who died on Friday at the age of 76.
In a condolence message, Professor Yunus described Hafiz's death as an "irreplaceable loss" for Bangla language and literature.
"Helal Hafiz was a powerhouse for the youth and a brave voice against autocratic regimes. He will remain eternal in people's hearts, just like his timeless poetry," Yunus said.
The Chief Advisor prayed for the departed soul and extended his sympathies to the poet's family.
Helal Hafiz breathed his last at Super Home in Shahbagh, where he had been living for years. He had been battling multiple health complications, including glaucoma, kidney disease, diabetes, and neurological issues.
The news of his demise was confirmed by filmmaker Shabnam Ferdousi, who stated that the poet passed away at his residence and was later taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
Born on October 7, 1948, in Netrokona, Helal Hafiz became a prominent literary voice that resonated with the tumultuous spirit of the 1960s. After completing his higher secondary education at Netrokona College in 1967, he joined the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University, where his poetic journey gained momentum.
The 1969 mass uprising in Bangladesh served as a turning point for Hafiz’s poetry. His iconic poem Nishiddho Shampadakiya (The Forbidden Editorial) catapulted him to fame. Its immortal lines:
"Ekhon Joubon Jar, Michhile Jabar Tar Shreshtho Shomoy / Ekhon Joubon Jar, Juddhe Jabar Tar Shreshtho Shomoy"
(“This is the finest hour for the youth to march, the finest hour for the youth to fight”)
became rallying cries during both the Liberation War and the anti-autocracy movements of the 1990s.
Hafiz’s first poetry collection, Je Jole Agun Jole (The Fire That Burns), published in 1986, remains a bestseller with over 33 editions. This collection cemented his place as a literary icon. Despite his fame, Hafiz retreated from public life for years, only to return with Kobita 71 in 2012, his second anthology. His third and final collection, Bedonake Bolechhi Kendona (I Told Pain Not to Cry), was published in 2019.
Helal Hafiz will be remembered for his defiant spirit and profound contributions to Bangla literature, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
