Veteran journalist, columnist and lyricist of Ekushey February's signature song 'Amar vaiyer rokte rangano' Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury passed away at a hospital in UK on Thursday. He was 87.

The Bangladeshi born British writer breathed his last at 6:30 am local time in London.

He was suffering from various old age complication for several months.

He is perhaps best known for writing the lyrics to “Amar Bhaier Rôkte Rangano” which is the most widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement. It has been regarded by listeners of BBC Bengali Service as the third best song in Bengali.

Mr. Choudhury worked as a journalist in different national newspapers in Dhaka. During the 1971 Bangladeshi Liberation War, he worked for Joy Bangla, Jugantar and Anandabazar Patrika. In the UK, he runs a newspaper named ‘Notun Din’.

He has written more than 35 five books. Some of his notable works are:”Danpithe Shawkat”, “Chandrodwiper Upakhyan”, “Nam Na Jana Bhore”, “Nil Jamuna”, “Shesh Rajanir Chand”, “Polashi Thekey Dhanmondi” and “Bastobotar Nirikhey.

He had been living in London from where he regularly wrote columns in Bangladesh’s national dailies, in Bengali newspapers of Bengali community and in a daily newspaper in Kolkata.

He produced a film on the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called ‘Polashi Theke Dhanmondi’.

The multitalented personality has received many awards for his immense contributions to journalism and literature, such as, Bangla Academy Award, EkusheyPadak, UNESCO literary Award, Bangabandhu Award, Shanghati Lifetime Achievement Award SadhinotaPadak, Manik Miah Padak, and PIB-Sohel Samad Memorial Award.