Monday | 7 October 2024 | Reg No- 06
বাংলা
   
Monday | 7 October 2024 | Epaper

In memoriam 2017

Bidding farewell to visionaries

Published : Monday, 1 January, 2018 at 12:00 AM  Count : 560
Ahmed Tahsin Shams
Apart from economic challenges, election-tensions, geopolitical hazards, and climate change impact, the year 2017 was also mournful for us losing great visionaries. Amid all of this cacophony, destabilizing losses -- the deaths of artistes and idols in politics, music and beyond --- are woes, which hardly can be healed even over the time.
Starting from the end of the year, we have lost Chittagong's iconic figure and ruling Awami League's Port City Unit's President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, as well as change-maker Annisul Huq, mayor of DNCC, in December. Before that, we mourned for the celebrated classical artiste folk singer and flutist Bari Siddiqui in November. In October, we have lost former minister MK Anwar. In addition, two legendary cultural personalities left us in August: Nayak Raj and renowned patriotic musician Abdul Jabbar. Noted musician Lucky Akhand left the world and us in April. The names here leave behind legacies and bodies of work to pore over and examine over the years to come.
In tears, Chittagong bade farewell to Mohiuddin on December 15, 2017. Awami League stalwart and former Chittagong mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury passed away at the age of 74 bringing an end to a decades-long, colourful political career.
During the 1971 Liberation War, he formed the 'Joy Bangla Bahini' and was arrested by the Pakistani forces. However, Mohiuddin became mayor of the Chittagong City Corporation in 1994. He was made president of Chittagong city AL in 2006.
After the historical March 7, 1971, speech by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Mohiuddin and his fellows looted firearms and ammunition from Rifles Club and arms depot in Majhirghat area to make preparation for the Liberation War. Moreover, following the killing of Sheikh Mujib in 1975, he formed an armed resistance group called "Mujib Bahini" against the Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad government. All through his political career, he was prolific in politics, and wise in words.
On December 1, 2017, Bangladesh faced demise of a change-maker: he was at his prime, dynamic and full of energy, he was a man on a mission to have 'clean Dhaka'. Dhaka city dwellers have lost a civic crusader with the death of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq. "Give me a few years and I will change this city" was his constant message to anybody he could find willing to listen to his plans.
Annisul's initiatives to remove illegally raised billboards, illegal vehicle parking, construct roads, modernise footpaths, restore discipline in transport management, modernise drainage and waste management system, check pollution, protect environment, increase greeneries and set up modern public toilets were very effective to turn a chaotic city into a clean, healthy and humane one.
In November, the country faced a cultural grief losing the singer of popular songs like 'Shua Chan Pakhi' and 'Amar Gaye Joto Dukkho Shoy', by eminent folk artiste and flautist Bari Siddiqui, at Square Hospital in Dhaka on November 24, 2017, at the age of 63.
Bari Siddiqui also founded a research organisation named 'Baul Bari' dedicated to restoring folk music of Bangladesh and reaching out to the young generation in Karli village, Netrokona. He has performed and conducted workshops in France, Switzerland, Malaysia, Pakistan, Iran and Singapore. Now the country mourns over losing such an internationally well-acclaimed classical musician.
On October 24, former minister MK Anwar died at the age of 85. Mohammad Khorshed Anwar joined the then Pakistan civil service and served the Bangladesh administration after independence. Anwar served as the finance secretary and cabinet secretary before retiring in 1990. Anwar served as the agriculture minister between 2001 and 2006.
In August, an irreplaceable vacuum was been created in the cultural arena when Bangladesh has lost a legendary singer Abdul Jabbar who inspired freedom fighters through his songs. During the Liberation War in 1971, he moved camp to camp in Kolkata hanging a harmonium on his neck. He amassed a total of Tk 12 lakh by singing everywhere in India. Then he donated all the money to the relief fund of the then Swadhin Bangladesh Government.
Known for his patriotic songs such as, 'Salam Salam Hajar Salam' and 'Share Shat Koti Manusher Aaj Ekti Naam', Jabbar breathed his last at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital on August 30, 2017, at the age of 80.
Popular media personality of Bangla film industry Razzak was the first Bangladeshi film-artiste who was elected goodwill ambassador of UNICEF. The country was saddened with grief in August hearing his death news.
Nayak Raj was also the founding president of Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association. In the middle of his career, he got the title of 'Nayak Raj' from Ahmed Zaman Chowdhury, editor of Chitrali. Some of his notable works are 'Abirbhab', 'Bashori', 'Etotuku Asha', 'Nil Akhasher Niche', 'Je Agune Puri', 'Moinamothi', 'Dwip Neva Nai', 'Sharalipi', 'Ashikkhit', 'Chutir Ghanta', and more. This legendary Bangla film actor passed away at a hospital in Dhaka on August 21, 2017, when he was 76.
Another person we lost in this year on April 21, was: Lucky Akhand who was an enlisted music composer of HMV Pakistan at the age of nearly 14 and a musician of HMV India at 16. The singer joined Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in 1971. He passed away at the age of 61, leaving us in grief with a gift of his unforgettable melodies.
Let us start a new year remembering all these visionaries and idols, and saluting their deeds for the development of society and human life.  

The writer is Lecturer, Department of English Language and Literature, Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB),  and Editorial Assistant, The Daily Observer






LATEST NEWS
MOST READ
Also read
Stop bloodshed in the war torn country
Will Kurds keep American weapons after Syria withdrawal?
Post Language Movement East Bengal and struggle for rights
Tribute to Comrade Moni Singh
Agriculture: An effective approach of improving condition of disabled people
The environment ready to arrange fair election?
International Monetary Fund: A heartbreaking story!
Political and election culture in Bangladesh
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Online: 41053014; Advertisement: 41053012.
E-mail: info©dailyobserverbd.com, news©dailyobserverbd.com, advertisement©dailyobserverbd.com, For Online Edition: mailobserverbd©gmail.com
🔝