Renowned Bangladeshi lyricist and Independence Award recipient Mohammad Rafiquzzaman was admitted to a private hospital in Dhaka on Saturday night, November 14, after experiencing severe abdominal pain, as his health condition continued to deteriorate.

His wife, Jinnat Ara Zaman, confirmed his hospitalisation, telling the media that he had been unwell for some time. His condition reportedly began worsening on Thursday before he developed intense abdominal pain on Saturday night. She took him to hospital at around 10.30pm to 11pm.

“He is in a very poor condition now. He cannot remember things properly, and his speech has become slurred,” she said.

Concerns over the lyricist’s health had emerged earlier this month. On 10 November, his wife said he had grown weaker following a fall and was having difficulty walking. His memory had also deteriorated, while he was speaking very little and struggling to sleep.

Rafiquzzaman was diagnosed with vertigo earlier in November and subsequently consulted a neuromedicine specialist. On medical advice, he underwent a CT scan and several other tests, but the results were not encouraging. Doctors later recommended further investigations, including an MRI and blood tests.

Speaking on Sunday, Jinnat Ara Zaman said the latest test results had also been unsatisfactory. Doctors had not yet provided a formal assessment of his condition. She said she was expecting an update on his health and treatment plan following a medical meeting later in the day, and appealed to everyone to pray for his recovery.

Rafiquzzaman is one of the prominent lyricists in modern Bangla music. He began his literary career writing poetry before establishing himself as a songwriter. From 1973, he regularly wrote lyrics for films, contributing to numerous popular songs over the decades.

He has also worked as a film story writer, screenwriter and dialogue writer. His accolades include National Film Awards for Best Lyricist in 1984 and 1986, and Best Story Writer in 2008. He received the Independence Award in 2024 in recognition of his contribution to the country's cultural sphere.