Dhaka: The ninth death anniversary of Shamsur Rahman, one of the major poets of modern Bengali poetry, will be observed on Monday.

Different socio-cultural organisations have planned elaborate programmes to eulogise the poet’s immense contribution to Bangla literature.

Kabi Shamsur Rahman Smriti Parishad will place wreaths at the grave of the poet at Banani at 11:00am. Jatiya Kabita Parishad, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote and other cultural and social organisations will place wreaths there.

Tin-Bangla Lekhak Foundation will hold exhibition, workshop, memorial meeting and cultural function marking the day at the Kabi Sufia Kamal auditorium of the National Museum. Poet Asad Chowdhury will inaugurate the programmes at 2:30pm.

As part of the programmes, four poets will conduct a workshop titled ‘Kabita Tomake Likhi’. A programme to remember Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Poet Shamsur Rahman will be held at 6:00pm.

Born on October 23 in 1929 at Mahuttuli in the capital, Shamsur Rahman, made his marks as a poet and a journalist. He authored more than sixty books on poetry and is considered a key figure in Bengali literature.

He was regarded as the unofficial poet laureate of Bangladesh. Major themes in his poetry and writings include liberal humanism, human relations, romanticised rebellion of youth, the emergence of and consequent events in Bangladesh, and opposition to religious fundamentalism.

He also took part in various socio-cultural movements and played a vital role in critical moments of the nation.

The poet, who also served as the chief editor of the now-defunct Dainik Bangla, earned a number of prestigious awards at home and abroad. He breathed his last on August 17, 2006 in Dhaka.