Noted cultural personality Aly Zaker passes away

President, PM, BNP mourn

FE Team | Published: November 27, 2020 23:42:56

Aly Zaker, a towering figure in theatre, television and film arena in Bangladesh, has died in hospital care after a four-year battle with cancer. He was 76, report agencies.
The legendary actor passed away at United Hospital in Dhaka at 6:40 am Friday, his advertising company said in a brief statement. Aly tested positive for the COVID-19 illness two days ago, his son Iresh Zaker wrote on Facebook.
Aly Zaker was laid to eternal rest at Banani graveyard after Asr prayers Friday.
Earlier, his body was taken on the premises of Liberation War Museum at Agargaon in the city at 11am.
Family sources said the celebrated actor was tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) two days before his death and that is why his body was not taken to the Central Shaheed Minar.
When his body was taken on museum premises, cultural personalities, friends and admirers paid their tributes to Aly Zaker, who was a trustee of Liberation War Museum, maintaining health guidelines.
Cultural personalities Ramendu Majumder, Nasiruddin Yusuf, Ferdousi Majumder and Mamunur Rashid, Liberation War Museum Trustees Dr Sarwar Ali and Mofidul Hoque placed wreaths at his coffin.
Zaker's wife Sara Zaker, son actor Iresh Zaker and Sriya Sharbojoya stayed beside the coffin on the occasion.
Aly left an indelible mark on audiences with memorable performances on stage and television over a span of more than 20 years.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the tributes for the acclaimed thespian in the wake of his demise.
In a condolence message, Hamid said, "Aly Zaker was a shining star in the country's cultural arena. With his death, the country has lost a great actor and cultural figure."
He will be "remembered for his contribution to the Great Liberation War and the country's art and cultural arena", said Hasina.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haq and State Minister for Cultural Affairs K M Khalid have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Aly Zaker.
Expressing shock over the death of Aly Zaker, BNP said he was a glittering star in the cultural arena of Bangladesh.
"People will always remember him for his glorious achievements and contributions to the country's cultural arena," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
In a condolence message, he said, "Actor Aly Zaker is a shining star in Bangladesh's cultural arena. His death is an irreparable loss to the expansion of the country's culture."
The BNP leader also recalled the role of the prominent culture personality in the country's Liberation War as a member of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.
Aly Zaker was born on November 6 in 1944 in Chattogram.
He was the third among four siblings, and spent his early childhood in Kushtia and Madaripur. His father was a high-ranking government official who transferred every few years.
He studied at Notre Dame College and graduated from the University of Dhaka.
Aly Zaker served as a freedom fighter in the Liberation War. He was in Sector 8 with Major General Manzoor.
In 1972, Aly Zaker joined Aranyak Natya Dal. His first stage appearance was taken place with performance in a drama of 'Kabor' written by Munier Chowdhury.
Later, he joined Nagorik Natya Sampradaya, where his most memorable work - "Dewan Gazir Kissa", "Nurul Din-er Shara Jibon", "Macbeth" and "Galileo", among many others - came.
Aly Zaker directed plays like "Baki Itihash", "Bidogdho Romonikul", "Toilo Sankat", "Ei Nishiddho Polli Te" and "Ocholayoton", among others.
On television, he is known for classics like "Aaj Robibar" and "Bohubrihi".
Aly Zaker married eminent theatre personality Sara Zaker in 1975 and they have a son Iresh Zaker and daughter Sriya Sharbojoya.
He was one of the trustees in the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka. Aly Zaker was the Chairman of Asiatic Society.