1.

This is the story of a time when Goon da (Nirmalendu Goon),Sabdar Bhai, Helal Bhai, and Abul Hasan Bhai  and others were some of the most celebrated poets in Dhaka. I don't know about the present scenario but when I joined Dhaka University in the seventies, they were the stars of the literary scene. No one could rival their fame and style. Things are different now. There are many writers and poets, but they probably don't have the same appeal as they had before. Poets and poetry were the lords of the rings. Although Prof.  Ahmed Sharif Sir, would say, it’s impossible to walk in the campus because no matter where you go, one bumps into them.  The campus was so full of poets.

2.
In the bigger world beyond the campus, there were the senior poets - Shamsur Rahman, Hasan Hafizur Rahman, Al Mahmud, Shahid Qadri, Haque Bhai and many more. They were the social leaders, not the arrogant rich of today. Everyone had a bit of extra love and respect for the poets, as long as their own sons did not become one. After all, the poets had empty pockets, visited “bad women”, had various diseases, smoked weed and booze! Ugh ugh. But if they only knew , so many of their own children were walking on that path.

3.
The politics of that era was much more violent than now.  The law-and-order situation was very fragile in the first few years after independence. Besides, there were various radical political parties whose activities were militant and violent. Efforts to crush them were equally hard.  Many of us lost someone or the other in those days, in that conflict. Among them were quite a few poets and writers. Is it still the same nowadays?

4.
Sabdar Siddiqui Bhai had contact with some Naxalites who came from India. I don't know if he followed that politics himself, but he had connections with Kolkata. Someone told me that Sabdar Bhai was more loyal to poetry than class struggle. Well, what would a person like who when caught by the police while crossing the Bangladesh-India border recites poetry to them is expected to prefer?

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5.
Nirmalendu Goon's political awareness was evident in his writings, particularly his renowned poem 'Hulia'. However, his active involvement in politics began after August 15, 1975. During a poetry reading session at Dhaka University, he recited a poem to express his protest against the assassination of Sheikh Mujib. It was a time of martial law, where anything could happen. Surprisingly, nothing happened to him, perhaps because he was a poet. Those were indeed violent times, both August and November. Nowadays, it is much safer to express opinions on Facebook, whether from the comfort of one's home or abroad. This difficult period lasted from the establishment of BAKSAL until the rise of power by Ershad. From Ershad's rule on, things began to look better for the poets. 

6.
Abul Hasan Bhai was more into  poetry and romantic love I guess. He was a regular at Sharif Mia's canteen in the day, though where he went at Night I am not aware. He seemed a bit shy to me. We used to publish a little magazine called 'Purbopatra' then. We once organized a poetry reading event on the theme of 'Death'. Imagine, people who were 20-21 years old and their poems were about 'Death'. But the event was a success. Goon da read three poems - which were printed in the book ‘Kabita: Amimangsita Ramani’. Abul Hasan Bhai did not join the event, he was busy with some other work. But later, the shadow of untimely death fell the longest on him.

7.
He fell ill and went to Germany for treatment. He said he was fine when he returned. I met him at the campus one evening. He had come to Pedro's canteen late and discussed his health. He ordered an oil-free egg poach, avoiding salt, but hadn’t eaten all day. hardly a healthy regimen. He also said he had a new poetry book coming out, titled ‘Shundar Bedona Shobkhane’. I don't think any book has been published with this name. He was hospitalized soon after and never recovered. People romanticize him now, but I knew him as a a simple, good soul who couldn't take care of his body or his soul.  The following lines from his poem, written while in his last visit to the hospital haunt me still. 

“ O forest dear forest, don't keep him lying there!
Let him go home. Let him go who has to leave
Let him go his way, don't hold him back.”
It stays by him like a shadow still.

8.
Many poets and revolutionaries died and disappeared at that time. Goon da’s book 'Na Premik Na Biplobi' reflected the sentiment. Revolution was a daily reality. The call of revolution was stronger than that of poetry for some. Rajib was one of them. An extremist group in North Bengal collapsed , and they were all sent to jail. Many were released after November 1975, as they had opposed to the previous government. But Rajib did not benefit from his release. His revolutionary days were over, and so was his party's.  The cause for which he left his studies and went to join the revolution was gone too.
I'm not sure if he had a mental breakdown in jail or before. He had lost all his social ties after his release and he became a recluse. He found a safe spot near Sharif Mia's canteen, where everyone was welcomed. He spent his days there, talking when talked to and eating only when someone offered, which was regular.  We got along. I realize now I got on well with such people. He let me read his poems. One of them, 'Commune', impressed me. It painted a beautiful picture of a small guerrilla camp near  a pond with ducks swimming, birds, trees, wind, light, air. I realized that he thought that the revolution had succeeded, and everyone was happy.
I salute the poets and their time, their era.

Afsan Chowdhury is a Bangladeshi journalist, researcher, novelists, and writer. He is known for his work in documenting and researching the history of Bangladesh, particularly its liberation war in 1971. Afsan Chowdhury has written extensively on issues related to human rights, social justice, and political developments in South Asia.

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