Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah (16 October 1956 – 21 June 1991) was a Bangladeshi poet noted for his revolutionary and romantic poetry. He is considered one of the leading Bengali poets of the 1970s. He received Munir Chaudhury Memorial Award in 1980 and Ekushey Padak in 2024 (33 years after his death) He is most notable for writing the song "ভালো আছি ভালো থেকো" (Bhālō āchi bhālō thēkō) also known as "আমার ভিতর বাহিরে অন্তরে অন্তরে"(Āmāra bhitara bāhirē antarē antarē). The song was later used in various Bengali movies and television dramas. An English translation of Rudro's selected poems, titled 'Ruddro and Beyond' was made by editor and translator Nadira Bhabna and published in 2023.

Life

Shahidullah was born on 16 October 1956 in Barisal. He was a student of Dhaka West End School and St. Joseph Higher Secondary School. He passed Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in 1973 and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) in 1975. Then got his master's degree in Bangla from the University of Dhaka in 1983. In 1982, Taslima Nasrin fell in love with Rudra and fled home to marry him. They divorced in 1986. He died on 21 June 1991 as a result of drug abuse and depression.

Literary works

• Abelay Shonkhhodhoni • Afim tobuo bhalo, Dhormo she to hemlock bish • E kemon bhranti aamar • Ek Glas Ondhokar Hate • Batashe lasher gondho • Bhalobashar somoy to nei • Bishbrikkho bhalobasha • Bish • Byatha da, buke rakhbo • Dure achho dure • Guccho kobita • Icchar Swar onyo rokom • Kotha Chilo Subinoy • Manusher Manchitro – 1 • Misile Notun Mukh • Mone Pore Sudurer Mastul • Chithi • Amar Bhitor Bahire Ontore Ontore

Awards

Rudra Mela

Rudra Smriti Sangsad organises an annual fair named Rudra Mela, in memory of poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah.