People from all walks of life paid their last regards to noted cultural personality Atiqul Haque Chowdhury on the Shaheed Minar premises on June 18. The former deputy director general of Bangladesh Television, Atiqul Haque Chowdhury died on June 17 at Samorita Hospital where he was admitted after cardiac arrest. He was 82 and had been suffering from prostate cancer, diabetes and other age-related ailments.
His body was first taken to his last workplace, ETV where his colleagues and activists of the cultural arena paid their respects.
At 11am, he was taken to Shaheed Minar where government high-ups, cultural activists, media personalities, teachers and students paid their tribute. Sammilito Sangskritik Jote had arranged the wake.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith was the first to put flowers on his coffin.
AZM Zahidul Islam, adviser to BNP chairperson, culture and theatre eminent Mamunur Rashid, veteran Artist Mustafa Manwar, Professor Anisuzzaman, Fakir Alamgir, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote president Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu among the notables expressed their last respect to the veteran cultural figure.
Director General of Bangladesh Television M Hamid said: “He is the person who has always inspired us to do better and better. He has shown us the roadmap of our responsibility towards the society.”
Thespian Mamunur Rashid said: “We have lost a guardian. I remember, I acted in a drama directed by him, which was all about death. I could not imagine, after so much time, I have to stand in front of his coffin.”
Veteran actor Syed Hasan Imam shared: “I have a lot of memories with him. I acted in his first drama.”
Nasiruddin Yousuff, theater personality and film director said: “The deceased artist was a unyielding believer of human equality. He was also a communist at heart and was quite a representative of his age. His plays reflect various socio-economic crises of that era. I will always remember him not only as an artiste but also as a teacher who was always concerned for his students.”
In expressing regret after his death, film director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki wrote in his Facebook page: “Rest in Peace Atiqul Hoque Chowdhury! Knew you have been suffering for many months! Didn’t dare to go and see you. But, I am sure you knew I have been praying. You were the first reader of my script when I was studying in class nine. You read the script with genuine sincerity. I never could tell you one thing- you gave me such an important gift that is still driving me. The priceless gift is confidence.”
Atiqul Hoque Chowdhury made a number of popular dramas for BTV including “Durbeen Diye Dekhun,” “Neel Nakshar Shondhane,” “Jalashaya Katadur,” “Sukher Upoma,” “Babar Kolom Kothay” and many more.
