Abu Zafar Obaidullah

Abu Zafar Obaidullah a career civil servant by profession, was a first-rank poet of Bangladesh. Two of his long poems, namely, 'Aami-Kingbodontir-Kathaa Bolchi' and 'Bristi O Shahosi Purush-er Jonyo Pranthona' have gained legendary renowence since their first publication in late 1970s.

Obaidullah was an innovator in terms of both style and subject matter. He frequently wrote about ordinary people and their lives and dreams, as well as Bangladesh's liberation struggle. He founded "Padaboli" which became the leading poetry movement of Bangladesh in the 1980s.

Obaidullah Khan was one of the pioneers of the Dhaka-centric group theatre movement that originated in the 1950s. Along with Syed Maksudus Saleheen, Taufiq Aziz Khan and Bazlul Karim he established Drama Circle in 1956. Abu Zafar Obaidullah died in Dhaka on 19 March 2001.