Sukumar Barua, the Ekushey Padak-winning rhymester, has passed away. He died at 6:55 am on Friday at J K Memorial Hospital in Gohira, Raozan, Chattogram. He was 88.
The news was confirmed by his daughter, Anjana Barua, who told the media, “My father had been admitted to a medical centre in Chattogram for the past week. On Friday, he was transferred to J K Memorial Hospital. Fluid had accumulated in his lungs. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, he could not be saved.”
Born on January 5, 1938, in Madhyam Binajuri village of Raozan, Sukumar Barua began his career in the 1960s as a fourth-class employee at the University of Dhaka. In 1963, he started writing while renting a small room on Topkhana Road for Tk 6. He retired in 1999 as a storekeeper at Dhaka University.
His notable works include Pagla Ghora, Bhije Beral, Chandana Ranjanar Chhora, Elopatri, Nana Ronger Din, Chiching Phak, Kichu Na Kichu, Priyo Chhora Shotok, Nodir Khela, Chotoder Haat, Mojar Pora 100 Chhora, Juktoborno, Chandnar Pathshala, and Jiboner Vitor O Bahir.
In recognition of his special contributions to language and literature, the government awarded him the Ekushey Padak in 2017. He also received numerous other awards, including the Bangla Academy Literary Award, Bangladesh Shishu Academy Literary Award, Alaul Literary Award, Chattogram Press Club Honour, Obsor Literary Award, Anon Foundation Lifetime Achievement, and the Chandrabati Children’s Literature Award.