Ekushey Padak-winning poet Jahanara Arzu no more

Ekushey Padak-winning poet and cultural personality Jahanara Arzu has passed away. She breathed her last at her residence in Gulshan, capital, around 1:30 pm on Monday, March 2. The renowned poet had been suffering from age-related ailments for a long time.

She leaves behind two sons, a daughter, grandchildren and countless admirers.

According to family sources, the first funeral prayer will be held at Azad Mosque in Gulshan after Maghrib prayers today. The second funeral will take place in her ancestral village Khalilpur under Harirampur upazila in Manikganj district after Esha and Tarabi prayers.

Family members said she will be buried beside her husband's grave after the funeral.

Jahanara Arzu was born on November 17, 1932. Her husband, late AKM Nurul Islam, served as Vice President of Bangladesh, Minister for Law and Education, Justice of the Dhaka High Court during the Pakistan period, and former Chief Election Commissioner.

This remarkable woman left her mark of dedication, wisdom and creativity in the arena of Bengali literature and culture for a long time. Her contribution to Bengali literary practice and editing is especially memorable.

She served as the founding editor of the weekly 'Sultana', the first women's weekly in erstwhile East Pakistan, which is considered a historic milestone in the tradition of women-edited literary publications.

Her literary pursuit began at a very young age; her first poem was published in 1945 in the 'Mukuler Mahfil' section of the daily Azad. Subsequently, her poems and writings were regularly published in various periodicals including 'Sawgat', 'Mohammadi', 'Begum', 'Millat' and 'Ittihad'.

Her poetic works exhibit a unique blend of humanism, humanitarian consciousness and love for nature. She rendered the multidimensional experiences of land, people and society in simple, lucid and emotive language.

In recognition of her literary pursuit, she was awarded a total of 26 literary prizes. Her notable poetry collections and writings have enriched the treasury of Bengali literature, which will remain a source of inspiration for future generations.