Dhaka: Reflecting late author Sunil Gangopadhyay`s immense popularity in Bangladesh, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday paid rich tributes to him and remembered his writings which inspired the independence of this country in 1971.
In separate condolence messages, Rahman and Hasina described Gangopadhyay`s death "as an irreparable loss" to Bangla literature.
"He?ll always be remembered by the readers through his innumerable stories, poems, plays and novels including ?Sei Somoy?, ?Purbo-Paschim?, ?Prothom Alo?, ?Nikhilesh? and ?Neera? poetry series", Hasina said.
"Gangopadhyay initiated a new trend in Bangla literature. At the death of this prolific litterateur, an era of contemporary Bangla literature has come to an end. He contributed greatly towards creating Bangla poets with his `Krittibas?, a magazine for poems", she added.
Recalling Gangopadhyay`s "great contributions" to the Liberation War of Bangladesh, Hasina said his poems and articles inspired the freedom fighters tremendously at that time and gave the refugees courage to endure the sufferings.
Gangopadhyay`s books are a craze among readers cutting across age groups in Bangladesh and his popularity in the country has never declined over the passage of time.
PTI
