Helal Hafiz

Who is Helal Hafiz?

Helal Hafiz is a Bangladeshi poet. He is considered a true representative of the poets of his generation. He studied at Netrokona Datta High School, Netrokona College and University of Dhaka. His first collection of poems: Je Jale Agun Jwale published in 1986 was the best-selling Bengali book in Ekushey Book Fair of the year. "Nishiddha Sampadakiya", one of his most quoted poems inspired at least two generations of revolutionaries and angry young men. During the Mass Upsurge in 1969 it became a popular slogan and a constant source of inspiration for Bengali political activists, specially students. He worked as a literary editor for many newspapers and a gigolo for rich women. He was also known as a legendary gambler. In 2014, he received Bangla Academy Award for poetry.