He was buried at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard following third namaz-e-janaza at Gulshan Azad Mosque after Zohr prayers.

His first janaza was held at Bangladesh Scouts headquarters at Kakrail around 10am while the second one at Bangla Academy at 12 noon.

The poet’s body was taken to Bangla Academy in the morning so that people can pay their last tributes to him.

Chairman of Bangla Academy Emeritus Professor Anisuzzaman, its Director General poet Habibullah Siraji, Bangla Academy staff, Nazrul Institute and Jatiya Kabita Parishad paid homage to the poet.

Advisor to the Prime Minister HT Imam, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder, Pro-vice chancellor of Chittagong University Prof Shirin Akter, President of Bangladesh Knowledge and Creative Book Publisher Association Farid Ahmed also paid their last respects to him.

Bangla Academy sources said a memorial meeting on Hayat Saif will be held at Poet Shamsur Rahman Auditorium of the academy on May 20. 

Hayat Saif breathed his last at the United Hospital around at 12:15 am.

He left behind wife, three sons and a host of relatives, friends and admirers to mourn his death.

The poet was admitted to the hospital on March 22 and since then he had been at the ICU.

Hayat Saif was born in 1942 in Dhaka who used Hayat Saif as the pen name. His real name was Saiful Islam Khan.

His first poetry was published in the then Samakal in 1962. 

Poet Hayat Saif wrote 15 books, including eight collections of poems and two of essays.

A number of poems and articles and some books written by the poet had also been translated into English and Spanish languages. 

His collection of literary essays titled ‘Ukti o Upalabdhi’ was published in 1992.

He completed English literature at the University of Dhaka and served as a member and acting chairman of the National Board of Revenue.

Hayat Saif was awarded Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award of the country, in 2018.