Music scholar Mobarak Hossain Khan, the son of popular singer Ustad Ayet Ali Khan, passed away today. The news was confirmed by his daughter Reenat Fauzia Khan.
Reenat told various reporters that her father was ill for a long time. He also had old-age ailments. Yesterday at dawn, his wife Fauzia Yasmin noticed that Mobarak was not moving in his sleep. When she touched his hand, she found it cold. Therefore, the time of death cannot be exactly confirmed, but the artist breathed his last during sleep. Currently, his body is kept in BIRDEM's morgue. After the return of his son from the United States, decisions regarding funeral and burial will be taken.
Mobarak was born in a family of singers on February 27, 1938, in Shibpur village of Nobinagar sub-district in Brahmanbaria. His father Ustad Ayet Ali Khan was one of the most prominent classical music practitioners. His uncle Ustad Dr Alauddin Khan was also a very prominent musician in the subcontinent. Mobarak was the youngest among his siblings, and his older brothers Abed Hossain Khan and Bahadur Hossain Khan were also prominent musicians.
Mobarak started working for Bangladesh Betar as a producer on October 20, 1962. Later he served as the director of Bangladesh Betar for 30 long years. During his tenure, Mobarak wrote several books. Mobarak published his first book on music, "Sangeet Prasanga" in 1980 through Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Through Bangla Academy, Mobarak published his second book titled "Baddojontro Prasanga." Then he essayed the book "Sangeet Malika," also published by Bangla Academy. After that Mobarak penned 50 books about music and children. He also served as the Director-General of Shilpakala from 1992 to 1996.
Mobarak was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1986. He also received the Independence Day Award (1994), and Bangla Academy Award (2002).
Mobarak has two sons, Tarif and Tanim, and one daughter Reenat, who is a singer. Mobarak's wife Fauzia Yasmin is also the elder sister of singer Sabina Yasmin.
