Soumitra Dev: Demise of timely voice of protest

Poet, journalist, and cultural figure Soumitra Dev, who recently passed away, was a lifelong fighter for Bengali culture, Bengali nationalism, the Liberation War, and the creation of a secular Bangladesh. Through writing, speeches, discussions, human chains, and debates, he was a strong voice in the country’s political, social, and cultural struggles. He was always at the forefront of advocating for progress.

A shadow of sorrow fell over social media, especially Facebook, as news spread of the poet’s passing at a hospital in Khilgaon on Tuesday morning (April 15). Poet's admirers, writers, and journalists expressed their grief over his death. His friends described the loss as 'sudden' and 'unreliable', flooding the online space with messages of mourning. Many wrote: "A clear-spoken, protest-oriented voice of his time."

Poet Soumitra Dev was born on July 27, 1970, in Moulvibazar city. His father, Sushital Deb, was a government employee, and his mother was Maya Deb. Soumitra completed his SSC from Moulvibazar Government High School, HSC from Moulvibazar Government College, and earned his bachelor's degree from the National University. He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Bangladesh Press Institute. Additionally, he received graduate training in planning, administration, and management from the Agricultural University.

Soumitra Dev was trained in the fourth batch of the Bangla Academy's Young Writers' Project. In 2005, he participated in the 10th North American Bengali Literature and Culture Conference. He also represented Bangladesh in several events in China, Malaysia, Nepal, and India, enhancing the country's image on the international stage.

He was widely known as a poet, with more than two dozen published books to his name. He wrote poetry, essays, and travel narratives. Some of his notable works include 'Digital Bangladesh O Bikalpo Ganomaddhom', 'Ajobithi', 'Bon Poryotok', 'Neel Krishnochura', 'Purb theke Poshchime', 'Jole Sthole Ontorikkhe', 'Himaloy Konnyar Hashi', 'Tumul Tushar Brishti', 'Agun Pipash', and 'Pathorer Chokh', among others.

Soumitra Dev began writing poetry in his teenage years and chose journalism and writing as his profession. He started his journalism career at the daily Prothom Alo, and later worked for five years at the daily Manabzamin, where he served as Assistant Editor. Most recently, he was the Chief Editor of the online news portal redtimes.com.bd. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award in 2018.

It is said that Soumitra Dev is the poet who speaks of standing under the tree of light after twenty years, swallowing fire, holding the universe in his hands, or marrying the city to the neighboring village. In his poetry, moonlight and darkness engage in a crossfire; the poet creates flowers from hunger and sees the nests of city crows around a vast 'Ajobithi'. He seeks to bring back the days filled with noisy darkness.

The poet’s friends often say that the most remarkable aspect of Soumitra Dev's poetry is his perfect use of rhythm, metaphor, and artistic surrealism—elements that many contemporary poets avoid or no longer feel the need to master, despite their essential role in poetry.

The poet's admirer, Kumar Preetish, said, "Soumitra Da, you were not supposed to leave like this. A great loss has occurred. You wrote poetry. You were the clear-spoken, protest-oriented voice of our time."

The poet's friend, Mustafa Selim, the head of Utso Prokashan, said, "I am heartbroken by the untimely passing of my friend. My deepest respect for him."

The poet's wife, Dimple Dev, shared a picture of his departure on social media and wrote, "Soumitra has taken all my colors with him."

Most recently, he delivered a powerful speech at a silent human chain organized by the Creative Writers Association in front of the National Museum. The event protested the distortion of the history of the Liberation War, violations of freedom of speech and human rights, and the deterioration of law and order in the country.

In my flawed system, when a businessman, economist, politician, athlete, or actor-singer dies, the state expresses its grief. However, when a poet passes away, the state does not grieve in the same way. To the state, poets are a trivial matter. It hardly pays attention when a poet dies or falls seriously ill.

The lifeless body of poet Soumitra has been taken to his birthplace, Moulvibazar, where his final rites will be performed, and he will be laid to rest. We, the admirers, friends, and well-wishers of the poet, pay our humble respects to his soul.