Mustafa Monwar, the artist, theatre director, and art researcher known for his pioneering work in puppetry, has passed away at the age of 91.
He breathed his last around 8:30am on Monday while undergoing treatment at Square Hospital in Dhaka, reports bdnews24.com.
Monwar was suffering from various diseases related to old age and had to be treated in hospital several times in the past months.
He was last admitted to Square Hospital on June 14 after contracting pneumonia. When his physical condition deteriorated, he was taken to the intensive care unit (ICU).
His ventilator support was removed a few days ago after there was some improvement in his condition. He was put on ventilator support again when his condition deteriorated, but he could not be restored afterwards.
Monwar was born on September 1, 1935, in Jashore's Sreepur.
After matriculating from Narayanganj Government School, Monwar initially enrolled in the science branch at Scottish Church College in Kolkata. But he did not stick to his studies and eventually enrolled in the Kolkata College of Arts and Crafts. In 1959, he graduated top of his class in Fine Arts from the institution.
Monwar started his career as a lecturer at the East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts. Later, he served as deputy director general of Bangladesh Television, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, director general of the National Media Institute, general manager of Bangladesh Television Dhaka, and managing director of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC). Monwar received various honours over the course of a colourful career, including the Ekushey Padak in 2004 for his contribution to the arts.
Burial today
Mustafa Monwar will be buried at Banani Graveyard in the capital on Tuesday afternoon.
His body will first be taken to the Bangladesh Television (BTV) premises at 9:00am on Tuesday. His first funeral prayers will be held there, painter Moniruzzaman told bdnews24.com.
"Then, from BTV, the body will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar between 10:30am and 11:30am. The body will be there until 12:30pm for people from all walks of life to pay their respects."
President, PM mourn
BSS adds: President Mohammad Shahabuddin on Monday expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Ekushey Padak-winning artist Mustafa Monwar.
In a condolence message, the President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of eminent artist Mustafa Monwar. In a condolence message, he said Mustafa Monwar's death created a big vacuum in the country's art and cultural arena that cannot be filled easily.
He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
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