“Amar Bhai'er Rokte Rangano Ekushey February” famed eminent lyricist, journalist and political analyst Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury was laid to eternal rest at Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in Mirpur Saturday afternoon. The prominent Bangladeshi-British writer and columnist was buried at 5:30pm. Gaffar Chowdhury’s body arrived in Dhaka by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London, where he died of a cardiac arrest.  Also read: Gaffar Chowdhury’s mortal remains arrive in Dhaka

Prominent Bangladeshi-British writer and columnist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury will be laid to rest at Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in Mirpur on Saturday. Gaffar Chowdhury's final journey will start from London in a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and the body will reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11am on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque will receive Gaffar Chowdhury's mortal remains at the airport on behalf of the Bangladesh government. Also read: Gaffar Chowdhury's body to arrive in Dhaka Saturday His body will be kept at Central Shaheed Minar from 1pm to 3pm for the government to give a guard of honour and the people to pay their last tributes. His Namaz-e-Janaza will be held at Dhaka University Central Mosque at 3.30pm and then the mortal remains will be taken to Jatiya Press Club (JPC) for the journalists to pay homage at 4pm. Gaffar Chowdhury will be buried at Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in Mirpur at 5.30pm. Gaffar Chowdhury went to London in 1974 for his wife's treatment, thanks to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Also read: Gaffar Chy’s 1st Janaza held in London; body likely to arrive in Dhaka May 28 On May 19, the veteran writer died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in London. He was 88. The Bangladeshi-British community and other admirers paid their last respects to Gaffar Chowdhury -- best known for writing the lyrics of "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano" -- following his first Namaz-e-Janaza held at London's Brick Lane mosque the next day.

President Abdul Hamid on Thursday expressed deep shock at the death of eminent journalist and writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury.  In a condolence message, the President said that Bangladesh has lost a pioneer who was progressive, creative and believed in the spirit of the Liberation War. His immortal song on language movement gave immense courage and inspiration to the Bengali nation during the Liberation War. Also read: Veteran journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury no more The President also prayed for the departed soul of Gaffar Chowdhury and conveyed his deepest condolences to his bereaved family. He was born in Ulania, Mehendiganj, Barisal Division and graduated from Dhaka University in 1959 and went to England on 5 October 1974.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of eminent journalist and Swadhinata Padak winning  writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury. In a condolence message she said that Gaffar Chowdhury,  lyricist of ‘Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano’, through his talent, deeds and writings upheld the spirit of the Liberation War of the country. Also read: Bangladesh lost a patriotic penman following Gaffar Chy’s death: FM “Gaffar Chowdhury continued his works throughout his life to present the actual history in front of the nation supporting the pledge of the Father of the Nation to build Golden Bengal and upholding the non-communal spirit of Bangalees,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said that during the Liberation War Gaffar Chowdhury encouraged the freedom fighters by his writings in the Bangladesh Government registered weekly ‘Joy Bangla’.  “Despite living abroad, through his write-ups he presented the ideology of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in national and international media,” she said. Also read: Veteran journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury no more She mentioned that she has many memories with Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury. “I have got many suggestions. I have lost a knowledgeable personality who through his writings and research enriched the history and heritage of Bangalees,” she said. The prime Minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday expressed deep shock at the death of eminent journalist and columnist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury who is best known for writing the lyrics of widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano." In a condolence message, the Foreign Minister said that  Gaffar Chowdhury's contribution to the journalism of Bangladesh was remarkable. Dr Momen said the contribution of Gaffar Chowdhury in establishing the status of Bangla language and his writings at different stages of the Liberation struggle especially "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano" is an immortal creation. Also read:Veteran journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury no more Besides, his publication 'Joy Bangla' published during the War of Liberation has given a lot of inspiration to the freedom fighters, said the Foreign Minister. At his death, Bangladesh lost a patriotic penman, the foreign minister said. He prayed for the salvation of the departed soul of late Gaffar Chowdhury and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. Gaffar Chowdhury died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in London at 6:49 am (London time).

“Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano” famed eminent lyricist, journalist, political analyst, columnist and writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury passed away in London on Thursday. He was 88. He died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in London at 6:49 am (London time) and Bangladesh High Commission in London is in touch with his family members regarding the next step, an official told UNB. Gaffar Chowdhury is best known for writing the lyrics of "Amar Bhaier Rôkte Rangano" which is widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement. Born in the Ulania village in Mehendiganj, Barisal to Hazi Wahed Reza Choudhury and Zohra Khatun on December 12, 1934, Chowdhury completed his Intermediate Examination from Dhaka College in 1953 and BA from Dhaka University in 1959. During his student life, he wrote the elegy for the language martyrs which confirmed his glory as a lyricist for eternity. Known as the “Ekusher Gaan,” the song was first tuned and composed by Abdul Latif, and later recomposed by Altaf Mahmud in 1969. Read: President shocked at death of journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury After his graduation, Chowdhury began his career as a journalist and worked in different national newspapers in Dhaka. He worked for Joy Bangla, Jugantar and Anandabazar Patrika during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.He went to London, the United Kingdom, in 1974 for the treatment of his wife Selima Chowdhury. He, however, could not return to Bangladesh for 22 years after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.Living in the UK as a well-respected journalist and columnist, Chowdhury began writing columns in national Bangladeshi dailies, Bengali newspapers of the Bangladeshi community, and a daily paper in Kolkata. He also founded the newspaper ‘Notun Din.’  As a writer, Chowdhury authored a total of 35 five books including “Dan Pithe Shawkat”, “Chandrodwiper Upakhyan”, “Nam Na Jana Bhore”, “Nil Jamuna”, “Shesh Rajanir Chand”, “Polashi Thekey Dhanmondi”, “Bastobotar Nirikhey” and others.  Documenting a book on the assassination of Bangabandhu Bangabandhu, Gaffar Chowdhury authored “Polashi theke Dhanmondi” which was later staged as a play in the UK in 2004 and later adapted into a film under the supervision of Chowdhury himself. According to many political analysts in the country Chowdhury’s direct participation in the democratic movement and reflection of observation through his concise writing style in his newspaper columns helped in the restoration of the real history of Bangladesh in the world’s media. His views, thoughts and comments on politics combined a personal style with accurate, inside information, and explained military, political, strategic and tactical assumptions of all sides in Bangladesh's complex conflict, and his columns got overwhelming responses from the readers. Read: PM mourns death of eminent journalist, writer Gaffar Chowdhury For his illustrious and iconic career,  Chowdhury received numerous awards including the Shwadhinata Padak, Bangla Academy Literary Award, Ekushey Padak, UNESCO Literary Award, Bangabandhu Award, and Shanghati Lifetime Achievement Award, to name a few. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid in separate messages expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Gaffar Chowdhury. In his condolence message, the president said that Bangladesh has lost a pioneer who was progressive, creative and believed in the spirit of the Liberation War. His immortal song on language movement gave immense courage and inspiration to the Bengali nation during the Liberation War. In a condolence message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Gaffar Chowdhury continued his works throughout his life to present the actual history in front of the nation supporting the pledge of the Father of the Nation to build Golden Bengal and upholding the non-communal spirit of Bangalees.” “Despite living abroad, through his write-ups he presented the ideology of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in national and international media,” she said. During the Liberation War Gaffar Chowdhury encouraged the freedom fighters by his writings in the Bangladesh Government registered weekly ‘Joy Bangla’, she added. The prime minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen also expressed deep shock at the death of Chowdhury.In a condolence message, the foreign minister said that Chowdhury's contribution to the journalism of Bangladesh was remarkable. Momen said Gaffar Chowdhury will be remembered especially for his immortal creation "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano" elegy. Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Saida Muna Tasneem has expressed deep shock over Gaffar Chowdhury's death. In a condolence message, she said, “I am deeply saddened by the death Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury." She said through the country and the nation lost one of his best sons and the British-Bangladeshi community lost their lighthouse and guardian. Also read: Celebrity astrologer, lyricist Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury passes away

Bangladesh will observe Martyred Intellectuals Day on Monday to commemorate those intellectuals who were killed by the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators during the 1971 Liberation War.