Dhaka: Bangladesh lost many illustrious figures in the cultural arena in 2018 who served the country with their creativity, talent and intellect till their death.

But they have been kept alive through various homages and tributes at every level from the state to the personal, while the social media are filled with posts, comments and sharing of contents about them. Cultural organisations paid their homage organising different programmes to remember their work, reports the UNB.  

In 2018, the country lost many talented artistes like Ferdousi Priyabhashini, rock star Ayub Bachchu, dance guru Bazlur Rahman Badal and many others who were the brightest stars of their respective areas.  

The list of lost gems was from the world of literature, dance, rock music, acting and movies, filmmaker, journalism and poets.

In January, Bangladesh lost actor Siraj Haider, playwright-writer Begum Momtaj Hossain, artist of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra Khademul Islam Basunia, writer ShawkatAli, singer Shammi Akhter.

Noted sculptor and freedom fighter Ferdousi Priyabhashini breathed her last on March 6 suffering from multiple health complications who was an example of courage for the womenfolk who are struggling in society in different sectors. She used to raise her voice about women’s rights. 

Ekushey Padak winner eminent poet Belal Chowdhury, who will ever be remembered for his contributions to Bangla literature, passed away on April 25.

Known by many names like poet, journalist, columnist and translator, Belal Chowdhury was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1984, Mazharul Islam Poetry Award in 2013. Belal had served as the editor of Bharat Bichitra, a magazine published from the Indian Embassy in Dhaka.  

In May, the country saw the death of Prof Dr Mustafa Nurul Islam, young actress Tajin Ahmed and poet, novelist and translator Mostafa Mir.

The untimely death of the young actor Tazin, who worked in multiple areas, such as a theatre performer, TV actress and anchor, playwright and journalist—shocked the nation very much.

The actress, hailing from Noakhali, made a foray into the small screen in 1996 with the air of drama ‘Shesh Dekha Noy’ in BTV.

Pranab Saha, a permanent member of the Jatiya Press Club and joint editor of Channel I, died of old-age complications at 66 on June 7.

On the other hand, the country lost the renowned actress Rani Sarkar on July 7, language movement fighter Dr Halima Khatun, adventure writer Jafar Ahmed Choudhury in the month of July.

Rani Sarkar, the national film award winner, acted in almost 250 films whose acting career began as a stage performer in 1958 with the first break in AJ Kardar’s film ‘Dur Hai Shukh Kagaon’.

In August, the people of the country witnessed the death prominent dancer Bazlur Rahman Badal and two veteran editors – Golam Sarwar and A H M Moazzem Hossain.

Veteran journalist Golam Sarwar, the editor of Bangla daily Samakal, who had been suffering from heart problems and respiratory complications, passed away on August 14 while AHM Moazzem Hossain, editor of The Financial Express, on August 2.

Golam Sarwar served journalism for more than five decades with accomplishments and professionalism while Moazzem Hossain starting his career in journalism with the now-defunct Bangladesh Observer as a reporter worked for The New Nation, United News of Bangladesh (UNB), The Dhaka Courier, and The Daily Star.

On September 3, people saw the demise of writer and birangana of Bangladesh Liberation War Rama Chowdhury.

She authored around 20 books, including poetry, novels and memoirs alongside the best-known autobiographical work “Ekattorer Jononi” (“Mother of 71”) which describes the torture perpetrated by Pakistani military during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Bangladesh also lost rock star Ayub Bachchu, prominent face on silver screen and jatra artistes Sheikh Abdul Aziz, and artist of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra Rangalal Dev Chowdhury this year.

The death of guitarist Aiyub Bachchu is a huge loss to the music industry of Bangladesh.  

The brightest star of rock world of Bangladesh, Bachchu, mostly known as ‘’AB”, died on October 13.

He popularised rock music in Bangladesh along with his band LRB (Love Runs Blind), had been an integral part of the Bangladeshi rock music scene for more than 25 years.

The month of December saw the loss of photographer Anwar Hossain, musician Amzad Hossain and filmmaker Saidul AnamTutul.