Shaheed Altaf Mahmud Foundation arranged a commemorative programme at the Liberation War Museum on Friday to observe the 42nd
disappearance day of Altaf Mahmud.
The programme featured discussion, award giving ceremony and cultural function. Altaf Mahmud was a singer, a cultural activist and a freedom fighter. From the language movement in 1952 to the liberation war in 1971, he was active in the country’s political and cultural arena to which he made an invaluable contribution.
The composer of the famous language movement song Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano ekushey February, Mahmud was a champion of people’s songs. He was a member of the Dhaka Crack Platoon and a producer for the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.
Altaf Mahmud was abducted by some personnel of Pakistan army on August 30 in 1971. He never returned thence.
Martyr Altaf Mahmud was remembered at the programme by artist Rafiqun Nabi, freedom fighter Habibul Alam Bir Pratik and freedom fighter Shahidullah Khan, the publisher and managing director of New Age.
The guests recalled their cherished memories of martyr Mahmud. Their recollection brought a melancholic and poignant ambience at the hall. Many of Mahmud’s friends, in fact, could not fight back their tears.
‘He was a caring brother to me and to many others. He has always been a tremendous source of inspiration for us’, said Rafiqun Nabi.
‘Today people cannot even imagine what a courageous figure Altaf Mahmud was. He had to suffer and sacrifice a lot for the liberation of the country’, said Habibul Alam.
‘Altaf Mahmud has become an embodiment of a spirit. He is an epitome of patriotism, brilliance and courage. Our country needs to stick to that spirit’, said Shahidullah Khan in the concluding speech.
The programme was anchored by Shimul Yusuf.
Hasan Arif recited Kazi Nazrul Islam’s Ami Hobo Sokal Belar Pakhi and an excerpt from Syed Shamsul Haque’s Poraner Gohin Bhitor.
Two prominent figures of the cultural arena of the country- artist Mustafa Monwar and music director Md Shahnewaz- were awarded with Shaheed Altaf Mahmud Padak 2013.
Born in 1935, artist Mustafa Monwar is the pioneer of puppet theatre and animation arts in Bangladesh. Mustafa Monwar, in his long career, has been the director general of BTV, managing director of BFDC, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. He has been awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2004.
Born in 1950 Md Shahnewaz is credited to set tune to thousands of songs including some famous numbers like Dui bhubaner dui basinda, Jibananoda hoye songsare. He was a music producer at Bangladesh Radio and Television.
-With New Age input
