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A BIOGRAPHY OF ABDUL GAFFAR CHOWDHURY
(12 December 1934 – 19 May 2022)
Writer, Journalist, Columnist, Political Analyst, Poet
A BIOGRAPHY OF ABDUL GAFFAR CHOWDHURY
Every year 21st February is welcomed by the saddest song “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano” in the remembrance of the martyrs who fought for Bangla language in 1952. This popular song was written by Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury. A person who’s contribution to our nation is immense.
After graduating from Dhaka University in 1959, Abdul Gaffar worked as a journalist in different national newspapers in Dhaka. During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, he worked for Joy Bangla, Jugantar and Anandabazar Patrika.
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Known For: Writer of “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano”
Profession:
Writer
Journalist
Columnist
Political Analyst
Poet
Born: 12 December 1934
Nationality: Bangladeshi
Birthplace: Ulania, Mehendiganj, Barisal, Bengal Province, British Raj
Education: Graduated from Dhaka University in 1959
Father: Hazi Wahed Reza Chowdhury (father)
Mother: Zohra Khatun Chowdhury
Wife: Late Selima Afroz Chowdhury
Son: Anupam Ahmed Reza Chowdhury
Daughter:
Tanima Chowdhury
Chinmoyee Chowdhury
Binita Chowdhury Binu
Indira Chowdhury
Siblings:
Hossain Reja Choudhury
Ali Reza Chowdhury (Mehdi)
Manik Bibi Choudhury
Laili Khatun Choudhury
Saleha Khatun Choudhury
Masuma Begum Choudhury
Fazilatun Nesa Choudhury
Founder Of: Notun Din (Newspaper)
Books: Wrote 35 Books. Some are mentioned below.
Polashi Theke Dhanmondi
Dan Pithe Shawkat
Nam Na Jana Bhore
Bilater Radha
Meye
Niruddishto Noimash
KrishnoPokkho
Awards:
Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1967
Ekushey Padak 1983
UNESCO literary Award 2009
Bangabandhu Award
Shanghati Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008
Sadhinota Padak in 2009.
Manik Miah Padak in 2009
PIB-Sohel Samad Memorial Award in 2014
Death: 19 May 2022
Early Life:
In his childhood, Chowdhury lived in the village of Ulania with his family. He was born and raised there. He completed his graduation from the University of Dhaka. He went to England on 5 October 1974 at the age of 35.
Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury’s father Hazi Wahed Reza Chowdhury was a landlord and freedom fighter in British India. He was the president of Barisal District Congress and a member of the All India Congress Working Committee. His father was imprisoned during the 1942 August Movement. Later, he served as secretary to Motilal Nehru.
His mother’s name was Zohra Khatun. He has two brothers and five sisters.
Career
Chowdhury was a journalist for various national newspapers in Dhaka before moving to the United Kingdom. He worked for Joy Bangla, Jugantor and Anandabazar Patrika during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
He is best known for writing the lyrics to “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano”. This song was very important to the Bengali Language Movement and he originally set the music to it. Later, Altaf Mahmud adapted the song and it became very popular.
In the UK, Abdul Gaffar founded a newspaper called Nottun Din. He wrote 35 books. His books are currently available on rokomari.com. He lived in London from where he regularly wrote columns in national Bangladeshi dailies, in Bengali newspapers of the Bangladeshi community and in a daily paper in Kolkata.
Mr Gaffar has produced a film about the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called “Polashi theke Dhanmondi”. In 2008, he announced that he would be producing a new film about Sheik Mujibur Rahman’s life called “The Poet Of Politics”.
Personal Life
Abdul Gaffar was married to Selima Afroz Chowdhury in 1956. They went to England on 5 October 1974 for Selima’s treatment. But could not return to Bangladesh for 22 years after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 1975. Since then, their full family have settled in London.
After being 56 years married, Selima breathed her last in 2012 in London. At the time of her death, she was 71 years old. She was suffering from prolonged paralysis and other old age-related complications. Together Abdul Gaffar and Selima had five children, one son and four daughters.
His daughter Binita Chowdhury Binu has recently passed away at UCL University Hospital in London. She was struggling with cancer and finally lost the battle on Wednesday 13th April, 2022.
His son Anupam Ahmed Reza Chowdhury is an international journalist and works for Reuters.
Death
After 35 days of his daughter Binu’s death, Abdul Gaffar breathed his last too. He was 87 years old and died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in London on 19 May 2022.
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