Bangladesh : Language movement veteran, lyricist of ‘Amar Bhaiyer rokte Rangano’ Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury passes away

Dhaka: Renowned lyricist, veteran journalist and language movement activist of Bangladesh Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury passed away at the age of 88 in London. Chowdhury was the lyricist of the soul stirring song ‘Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushe February Ami Ki Bhulite Pari’ meaning ‘Can we ever forget the 21st February stained with the blood of our brothers?’

The 21 February is observed as the ‘Language Martyrs’ Day’ in Bangladesh to pay respect to the people killed by the Pakistani forces in 1952 when they took out a procession demanding Bangla as the official language of the then East Pakistan.

The song written by Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury inspired generations of Bangladeshis to fight for their mother tongue which ultimately led to their liberation in 1971.

Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury was born in the Ulania village in Mehendiganj of Barisal in 1934. He worked with Joy Bangla, Jugantor and Anandbazar Patrika during the liberation war of Bangladesh. After the liberation of Bangladesh, he settled in the UK in 1974.

He received Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1967. The government of Bangladesh honoured him with the Independence Award in 2009. He was also a recipient of Ekushey Padak and UNESCO literary Award.

Condoling the death of Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, Bangladesh President M Abdul Hamid said that his song ‘Amar Bhaiyer Rokte’ gave immense courage and inspiration to the Bengali nation in the Language Movement and the War of Liberation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her condolence message said that Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury with his works upheld the spirit of the country’s Liberation War and non-communal spirit of the Bengalis till his death.