Thousands mourn Bangladeshi poet

Rahman was one of Bangladesh's most acclaimed poets

About 5,000 grieving Bangladeshis paid their respects to poet Shamsur Rahman at his funeral in Dhaka.

Rahman, one of Bangladesh's most acclaimed poets, died on Thursday after being in a coma for more than a week. He suffered kidney and liver failure.

He had 60 poetry books to his name and was known for his campaign for political and social justice, which made him an icon among liberals.

His body was laid to rest beside his mother's grave in the capital.

Iconic figure

Rahman's body was taken to Shahid Minar (Martyr's Monument) on Friday morning, where it was kept for public viewing for two hours. Many leaders were among those who came to pay their respects to the poet.

Following funeral prayers at Dhaka University mosque, he was buried in the afternoon at a city graveyard.

Thousands of people gathered to pay their respects to the poet

Rahman was a leading literary figure for more than 30 years and his works were also critically acclaimed in India.

He began writing poetry at the age of 18, before starting a career as a journalist which saw him become the editor of a national daily, Dainik Bangla.

Initially a romantic poet, Rahman began writing on political and social issues after a military coup in Pakistan in 1958.

His secular beliefs almost cost him his life in 1999, when he narrowly escaped assassination by a group of suspected Islamist extremists.

Shadhinota Tumi (Freedom, you) is considered to be his most famous poem which he wrote in 1971, during Bangladesh's war of independence.

He won many prestigious awards, including Bangladesh's most prestigious literary award - the Ekushey Padak in 1977.