Mohammad Rafiq

Mohammad Rafiq (23 October 1943 – 6 August 2023) was a Bangladeshi poet. He was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1987 and the Ekushey Padak in 2010.

Early life Rafiq was born on 23 October 1943 in the village of Baitpur, Bagerhat, Bangladesh (then India). His brother, Mohammad Tareque, was the Secretary of Finance of Bangladesh.

During the dictatorship of Hossain Muhammad Ershad, Rafiq wrote Khola Kabita (Open Poem), which was published as a leaflet and circulated throughout the country. It was the first voice raised against the unlawful military autocracy. It became very popular among the student activists, who performed the poem as drama and song. Later, he was summoned and interrogated before a military board of inquiry. A warrant for his arrest was also issued. By this time, Mohammad Rafiq had escaped and begun to live in hiding.

Career Rafiq worked as a teacher at Chittagong College and Dhaka College. In 1993, he was a resident at the International Writing Program (University of Iowa). After working in the Department of English, Jahangirnagar University, for three decades, he retired in 2009.

Death Rafiq died on 6 August 2023, at the age of 79.

Awards 1981: Alaol Literary Award 1987: Bangla Academy Literary Award 2010: Ekushey Padak

Works 1970: Boishakhi Purnima 1976: Dhulor Shonshare Ei Mati 1979: Kirtinasha 1983: Khola Kobita 1983: Kapila 1986: Gaodiya 1988: Shodeshi Nishshash Tumi Moy 1991: Meghay Ebong Kadai