Poet Al Mahmud at ICU

Prominent poet Al Mahmud is currently undergoing treatment at the Ibn Sina Hospital in Dhaka city's Dhanmondi area after he fell sick on Saturday night.

Al Mahmud has been kept at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after being hospitalised under the supervision of Dr Abdul Hye due to illness, said Abid Azam, the poet's family friend and his assistant.

He has long been suffering from multiple old-age complications, UNB reported quoting Azam.

Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud, best known as Al Mahmud, is an eminent Bangladeshi poet, novelist, and short-story writer.

He is considered one of the greatest Bengali poets to have emerged in the 20th century. His work in Bengali poetry is dominated by his frequent use of regional dialects.

In the 1950s he was among those Bengali poets who were outspoken in their writing on such subjects as the events of the Bengali Language Movement, nationalism, political and economic repression, and the struggle against the West Pakistani government.

He was born in Morail Village of Brahmanbaria District in Bangladesh. His childhood and secondary education days were spent in this village which is located adjacent to Brahmanbaria town.

Mahmud started his career as a journalist and obtained widespread recognition after Lok Lokantor was published in 1963.

Al Mahmud was honoured with Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, and Kabi Jasim Uddin Award in recognition of his contribution to Bengali literature.