Udichi President Professor Badiur Rahman no more

Professor Badiur Rahman, renowned literary theorist and President of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi, died at midnight on July 16. He was 78.

Rahman passed away at Health and Hope Hospital in Dhaka, where he was admitted on Wednesday midnight after falling seriously ill. According to Udichi General Secretary Amit Ranjan Dey, Rahman was declared dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

His body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Thursday morning, allowing the public to pay their respects. He will be buried in his hometown, Barishal.

Born in 1947, Rahman completed his postgraduate degree from Dhaka University in 1968 and started teaching that same year. He retired from a government college in 2004 and was celebrated for his extensive contributions to literary theory.

Over his career, Rahman authored more than fifty books on research, translation, and editing. Some of his notable works include Sahitya Swarup, Dhrupodi Sahityatattwa, The Prince, and Rabindranather Onubad Kobita.

Rahman was deeply involved with Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi since the 1980s. He served as Vice President in the 1990s and was elected President in June 2022, a role he held until his passing.

In early 2025, Rahman’s leadership faced challenges from a faction within Udichi, which accused him of political sympathies with the ousted Awami League leadership after the July Uprising. This internal conflict culminated in a physical scuffle during the organisation’s 23rd National Council in February.

Despite tensions, Rahman completed the council’s work in June and was re-elected President by the majority.

Following his death, numerous cultural organisations, including Chhayanaut, and prominent cultural figures expressed condolences and honored his legacy.