Indian Iyricist of Bangladesh Liberation War Dies

Kolkata, Jan 17 (IANS) Indian lyricist, Gobinda Halder, whose songs inspired millions in Bangladesh during its 1971 liberation war, died at a city hospital Saturday following old age and kidney complications, his family said. He was 84.

Halder is survived by wife Parul and daughter Gopa.

Halder composed evergreen songs like "Ek Sagor E Rokter Binimoye Banglar Swadhinata Anlo Jara" - which was the signature tune of Bangladesh TV in the 1990s - as also "Mora Ekti Ful Ke Bachabo Bole Juddho Kori", and "Purbo Digonte Surjo Utheche", which still people of Bangladesh emotional. Among scores of other unforgettable lyrics was "Padma Meghna Jamuna, Tomar Amar Thikana".

Bangladesh Deputy High Commission's First Secretary (Press) Mofakkharul Iqbal said Halder breathed his last at 10.20 a.m.

Born Aug 1, 1930, at Bongaon, Halder visited liberated Bangladesh only once - in 1972.

He had only one published book of poems "Dur Diganta".

"My father wrote over 3,000 poems, which remained in manuscript form. Due to financial difficulty, he could not publish any of them," said daughter Gopa.

Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at Halder's death.

Bangladesh Deputy High Commission officials placed wreaths on Halder's body on behalf of Abdul Hamid and Hasina.

Hamid had visited the ailing Halder at the J.N. Roy Hospital in north Kolkata during his trip to India December last.