death anniversary
Dilip Kumar : A silent departure that lives on
It was a year back but the absence of any event commemorating the first death anniversary of South Asia’s greatest cinema star of an era, would have been unthinkable even a few years back. There would have been rekindling of mourning and grief all in all the countries of the region. When Dilip Kumar died on July 7, 2021 due to Covid and other complications, the circumstances were not meant for collective mourning and remembering. This year , he is barely remembered providing the all-important lesson that time is amnesia.
Read:A brutal summer of fire and heat: Sitakundu, load shedding…
Perhaps a better phrase would be, he slipped away from memory. At 98, he had left his world behind. Delaying further would probably have meant inviting greater anonymity to a life lived in bright lights. It was time for dimming and putting out the bulbs.
He was born in a world in 1922, which can’t be imagined today that it ever existed. A Pathan- Yusuf Ali Khan- was born in Peshawar. He made it to Mumbai and one day over time reached the top in the cinema world. On the way Khan morphed into( Dilip) Kumar and that was a recognition of the audience-market- a reality all accepted and ensured that he became a success. He became a super star and didn’t just enthrall his audience with his acting but his leading ladies with his charms as well.
His movies are many that haunt us from a time zone far away courtesy the digital world. Whether Anand, Ganga –Jamuna, Mughal-e-Azam and so on , he projected the strong, reliable, honourable man he was paid to play. India needed them under the Nehruvian era where “nation-building” required such heroes and he produced them in one cinema screen after another. He was as much if not a better politician of India just past. Today, the audience has many channels to switch on and choose their pet love or hate but in his time, all roads led only to the cinema hall, where the hero swayed the audience and swooned the heroines like few did as he did.
And Dilip Kumar had many loves. From Nimmi to Madhubala to Vyjayantimnala and on and on. He finally settled down with the “Kashmir-ke Koli” girl, Saira Bano. Even in this long marriage he had a brief marriage to one Asma for 2 years. He was never really meant to forget who he was. The charm became a way of life, cheering him to live on and sort of forget that time was always waiting on the street in the dark to take him home.
Read:India’s Nupur Sharma battle reaches the judiciary
But can a star be ever forgotten in the digital era ? He was always the super star and always did the song and dance routine and they live on. Strangely enough, his entire movies may be rarely seen by today’s audience, but anyone interested in Hindi music will always see him alive and charming the boots off the devil’s foot through the songs, as dramatic as the cinema itself. In an odd way, the man who now represents the era gone by, has been kept alive by the era that is a stranger to him.
Live on, sing on, play your charm and demeanor. Dilp Kumars can no longer die.
Imam Khomeini's 33rd death anniversary observed in Bangladesh
The 33rd death anniversary of Imam Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was commemorated in Dhaka Saturday through a webinar.
Diplomats, scholars, analysts, and academics attended the seminar organised by Iran Cultural Centre in Dhaka and paid tribute to the struggle of Khomeini.
Khomeini was the undisputed leader of the oppressed people of the world, who established the Islamic Revolution and gave hope to the helpless and deprived people of the world, the speakers said.
The Islamic uprising he founded is a role model for development for the liberated people of the world today, they added.
Khomeini was simultaneously a philosopher, a fiqh (scholar of Islamic jurisprudence), political leader and spiritual saint.
Zia’s 41st death anniversary Monday
BNP will observe the 41st death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman on Monday.
BNP and its different associate bodies chalked out a 10-day programme to observe the death anniversary across the country with due reverence.
Also read:Attacks on JCD carried out at behest of govt high-ups: BNP
The observance of Zia's death anniversary programmes began today (Sunday) through a discussion programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, and will end on June 7.
The programmes include arranging discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibition, wearing black badges, publishing posters and supplements in newspapers and distributing food and relief materials among the destitute.
Ziaur Rahman who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May 1981.
In observance of the day, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party and its associate bodies, including Nayapaltan headquarters at 6:00am on Monday.
Besides, BNP senior leaders, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.
BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities until June 7 as part of the death anniversary programmes.
Also read: BNP holds talks with Labour Party to wage united movement
The party leaders of Dhaka south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city.
The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes including discussions to be participated by BNP senior leaders.
BNP’s takes up 10-day programme to observe Zia's death anniversary
BNP on Tuesday chalked out a 10-day programme to observe the 41st anniversary of the death of its founding leader Ziaur Rahman.
The observance of the anniversary will begin on May 29 and end on June 7.
Also read: BNP’s two-day demo protesting attacks on opposition leaders
The programmes were finalised at a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies held at its Nayapaltan central office with BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.
After the meeting, Fakhrul announced the programmes that include discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibitions and wearing black badges, paying homage to Zia and distributing food and relief materials among the destitute.
Ziaur Rahman, a military-ruler-turned-president, founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. He was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
As part of the programmes, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party, including its Nayapaltan headquarters, at 6am on May 30.
Besides, party leaders and activists will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.
Also read: Chhatra League attack on LDP leader Redwan ‘premeditated’: BNP
BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities, from June May 29 to June 7 as part of the death anniversary programmes.
The party leaders of Dhaka south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city on May 30.
The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes.
SAMS Kibria’s 17th death anniversary Thursday
The 17th death anniversary of Shah AMS Kibria, a former finance minister and senior Awami League leader, will be observed on Thursday.
Different socio-political organisations have chalked out various programmes, including placing wreaths at his grave, offering fateha there and arranging doa mahfil, to observe the day with due respect.
On behalf of Kibria’s family, a doa mahfil will be held on the grave premises of Kibria at Banani Graveyard at 11am.
The family will also arrange a human-chain programme at the graveyard demanding proper trial the in Kibria murder case.
On January 27, 2005, Kibria and four others were killed in a grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Baidderbazar area of Habiganj.
Two cases -- one for murder and another under the Explosive Substances Act -- were filed on the night of the incident.
READ: 16 years of SAMS Kibria killing: Justice eludes family
The trial of the murder case began in September 2015, ten years after the attack.
A total of 32 people, including former State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar, were indicted in the murder case in 2015.
Although 17 years have elapsed since the heinous killing, no significant progress has been made in the investigation into the two cases regarding the incident.
The investigation was delayed by 10 years. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police investigated the case thrice. The depositions of 43 witnesses among 171 have been recorded while charges were framed on October 22, 2020 in the case filed under The Explosives Act.
Koko’s 7th death anniversary Monday
The seventh death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and current chairperson Khaleda Zia, will be observed on Monday.
BNP and its associate bodies have taken various programmes to mark the day.
Read: Koko’s wife returns to London
Dhaka north city unit BNP will arrange a Qurankhawani and a session of special prayers on the premises of Koko’s grave, Banani at 8am, said a party press release on Sunday.
BNP will arrange a doa mahfil at its Nayapaltan central office at 12pm seeking eternal peace for Koko’s departed soul.
Besides, Dhaka north city unit of BNP will arrange special doa mahfil at its 26 thana units and distribute cooked food among the destitute and orphans.
Another doa mahfil will be held at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office at 5pm.
All the programmes will be observed maintaining health safety rules with the participation of a limited number of party leaders and activists, the release added.
Read: Khaleda’s son Koko ‘killed through torture’: BNP
Different associate and professional bodies of BNP and its city and district units will also observe the day through holding various programmes, including discussions and prayer sessions, across the country.
On January 24, 2015, Koko died of cardiac arrest at the age of 45 at a rented house in Malaysia.
His body was brought back home on January 27 and buried at Banani Graveyard.
Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul's third death anniversary observed
Ekushey Padak-winning music-director, lyricist, composer and freedom fighter Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul's third death anniversary was observed on Saturday. The revered music icon passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest on this day in 2019.
Family members and admirers of Bulbul observed the occasion remembering his life and works throughout the day.
Born in Dhaka on New Year's Day in 1956, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul completed his schooling at the West End High School in Azimpur.
When Bangladesh stood against the oppression of Pakistani rulers in 1971 and declared Independence, Bulbul joined the Liberation War at the age of 15 and was stationed in Zinzira at a Mukti Bahini base during the War.
Read: ‘World Film Manifesto Program’ at DU to showcase Emir Kusturica
He trained in India before fighting in Dhaka's Lalbagh Thana and New Market Thana. While traveling to India for extra training in October, 1971 - he was apprehended by the Pakistani military and Razakars.
He was then taken to a jail in Mymensingh, where he was tortured and saw the Pakistan military execute 39 Mukti Bahini detainees. He was transported to Dana Miah's home, which operated as the East Pakistan Central Peace Committee's local office. Along with other Mukti Bahini members, he was tortured there.
After the Independence, Bulbul's glorious career started as the revered music icon, beginning with 'Megh Bijli Badol' in 1978.
He wrote and composed hundreds of fan-favourite songs. released independent albums and created works for a number of Bangladeshi performers in his four decades long career.
In addition to Bulbul's musical ventures, he also became a judge on the country's first-ever musical reality show 'Closeup 1 Tomakei Khujchhe Bangladesh' for three seasons.
Read: 3-day long dance festival begins at BSA Thursday
For his excellence in the Bangladeshi music industry, Bulbul received the National Film Award in the Best Music Director category twice - first in 2001 for his work in 'Premer Tajmahal' and in 2005 for 'Hajar Bochhor Dhore'.
He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2010 for his outstanding contribution to the country’s music industry. He also received the coveted Bachsas (Bangladesh Cholochitra Sangbadik Samity) Awards for 11 time throughout his career.
--
Playwright Selim Al Deen’s death anniversary observed at JU
Playwright Selim Al Deen was fondly remembered by his colleagues and admirers on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of his death on Friday. He died on 14 January 2008 at a private hospital in Dhaka. He was buried near the Central Mosque on the campus of Jahangirnagar University. Due to the prevalence of coronavirus, the death anniversary of the playwright, who was awarded various medals, was observed with limited events complying with pandemic protocols.
Read: Selim Al Deen Utsab ‘19 begins at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy The Department of Drama and Drama Theory of Jahangirnagar University, where he taught, organized various programmess with the slogan 'This face is your face, one and the same' Natyacharya, the promoter of a new genre in Bengali drama. Going against the colonial literary trend, Selim Al Deen brought the drama back to the dynamic style of traditional Bangla. He was the dreamer of Bangladesh Village Theater. He is also the lifeblood of Dhaka Theater.
Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy’s 58th death anniversary today
The 58th death anniversary of Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy is being observed in the country in a befitting manner on Sunday.
Different political and socio-cultural organizations have taken up elaborate programmes on the occasion.
The programmes include placing of wreaths at the grave of the great leader and discussions.
Read: Sufia Kamal’s 22nd death anniversary observed
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.
In his message, the President said “The nation remembers with respect Suhrawardy’s contributions in flourishing democracy and improving the socio-economic condition of the people of this region.”
The President expressed hope that the life and works of Suhrawardy will encourage the future generation to devote themselves in people’s welfare.
In her message, the Prime Minister said Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy worked for establishing democratic rights of people and flourishing non-communal politics throughout his life.
Read: Maulana Bhasani's 45th death anniversary Wednesday
Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy was a veteran politician and a lawyer who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Pakistan from September 12, 1956 until resigning on October 17 1957.
Born into an illustrious Bengali Muslim family in Midnapore on September 8, 1892, Suhrawardy was educated in Kolkata and was trained as a barrister in Oxford where he practised law at the Gray's Inn in Great Britain.
He died on December 5, 1963 at Beirut in Lebanon.
Remembering Aly Zaker: A guiding genius for generations to come
Saturday marks the first death anniversary of eminent Ekushey Padak-winning thespian and freedom fighter Aly Zaker.
A muse for many, the cultural icon passed away on November 27, 2020, after a four-year battle with cancer. He had also tested positive for Covid-19, two days before his death.
Different cultural organisations have lined up several programmes to commemorate the eventful life and works of the artiste.
Zaker was born to Muhammad Taher and Rezia on November 6, 1944, in Ratanpur village of Brahmanbaria's Nabinagar upazila.
He spent most of his childhood in places like Feni, Khulna and Kushtia because of his father's transferable job as a government official.
READ: Reliving the versatility of Aly Zaker, a muse for many
After completing his Matriculation from St Gregory School, Dhaka, in 1960 and higher secondary from Notre Dame College in 1962, Zaker graduated from the sociology department of the University of Dhaka.
His glorious career as one of the most versatile cultural personalities began after the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. As a freedom fighter and artiste of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, he took part in the war.
He then started his journey as an actor and became one of the most successful performers on stage, television and silver screen, playing a wide variety of roles.
With renowned theatre troupe Aranyak Natyadal’s play 'Kabar', written by legendary playwright and intellectual martyr Munier Chowdhury, Zaker shot to limelight as a thespian in 1972.
He joined Nagorik Natya Sampradaya in the same year and remained with the troupe till he died, eventually becoming its chairman.
Zaker directed 15 plays and acted in 31 plays for his troupe till 2019, including Kopenik-er Captain, Galileo, Nurul Diner Sarajibon, Macbeth, Achalayatan and Dewan Gazir Kissa.
His performances in the role of Nurul Din, Galileo and Dewan Gazi earned him acclaim from critics and fans. He also achieved prominence in television dramas, including Aaj Rabibar and Bohubrihee. Zaker also performed in more than 50 plays for Bangladesh Radio.
READ: Aly Zaker a glittering star in cultural arena: BNP
Zaker received Ekushey Padak, the country’s second-highest civilian award in 1999. He also won several other awards, including the National Academy of Performing Arts Award in 1977, Sequence Award of Merit in the category of outstanding theatre personality in 1984, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award, Bangabandhu Award, Munier Chowdhury Award, and Naren Biswas Award.
Zaker was married to renowned and popular cultural personality Sara from 1977 till his death. He is survived by his wife, son Iresh Zaker, also a popular actor, and daughter Sria Sharbojoya.
END/UNB/MIH/JM