Entertainment Desk

We have lost a good many notable cultural personalities in 2024. The celebrities we have lost in the year include actors Ahmed Rubel, Masud Ali Khan, Sadi Mohammad, singers Shafin Ahmed, Hassan Abidur Reza Jewel, Papia Sarwar, singer-composer Shujeo Shyam, lyricist Abu Jafor, and film director CB Zaman.

Here we’re remembering the celebrities who have died this year.

Ahmed Rubel: Ahmed Reza Rubel, popularly known as Ahmed Rubel, was a theatre, film and television actor of the country. The noted actor breathed his last 7 February.

Sadi Mohammad: The noted Tagore singer died on 13 March.  Sadi Mohammad, known for his soulful renditions of Rabindra Sangeet, debuted as a music composer when he released the album “Amakey Khujey Pabey Bhorer Shishirey” in 2007. He also released the albums “Srabon Akashey” in 2009 and “Sharthok Janom Amar” in 2012.

Waliul Haq Rumi:  Waliul Haq Rumi was a stage and television actor of the country. He also acted in several films. The noted artiste breathed his last on 22 April.

Shafin Ahmed: Shafin Ahmed, the singer who made great contributions to Bangla band music, and won the hearts of millions over the years, passed away in a hospital in Virginia, United States, on 24 July.

The artiste is acclaimed for many popular hit tracks, including “Phiriye Dao”, “Dhiki Dhiki”, “Neela”, “Chad Tara Surjo”, “Ki Jaadu” and “Jani Tumi”.

Hassan Abidur Reja Jewel: Renowned singer and television programme host Hassan Abidur Reja Jewel passed away on 30 July. Among his ten solo albums, “Ek Bikele” is the most popular.

Shujeo Shyam: Ekushey Padak-winning and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste Shujeo Shyam passed away at a hospital in Dhaka on 17 October.

Born on 14 March 1946 in Sylhet, received Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director four times for the films “Hason Raja” (2002), “Joyjatra” (2004), “Obujh Bou” (2010) and “Joiboti Konyar Mon” (2021).

Moni Kishore: Singer Moni Kishore was found dead at his home in Dhaka’s Rampura on 19 October. He garnered popularity among the audience for his songs including “Ki Chile Amar,” “Ami More Gele Jani Tumi,” “Tumi Shudhu Amar Jonno,” “Mukhe Bolo Bhalobashi,” and “Shei Duti Chokh Kothay Tomar”.

Masud Ali Khan: The Ekushey Padak-winnig actor died on 31 October 2024. He debuted his acting career in 1956 by joining the theatre troupe “Drama Circle”. He performed for “Drama Circle” till the 1990s. He first acted in films through his role in “Nodi o Nari” in 1964. The actor   has acted in many movies, including “Jonakir Alo”, “Dipu Number Two”, “Matir Moina”, “Dui Duari”, and “Mollabarir Bou”.

Afroza Hossain: Actor Afroza Hossain passed away after battling with cancer on 10 November.  Her notable works include “Thetaru”, “Surjo Oster Age” and “Bideshi Chele”. The actor was last seen in the film “Abar Boshonto”, directed by Anonno Mamun.

Abu Zafar: Abu Zafar was a popular lyricist, music composer, poet and singer of the country.  His notable songs include “Ei Padma Ei Meghna”, “Tomra Bhulei Gecho Mallikadir Naam”, “Nindar Kata Jodi Na Bidhilo Gaye”, “Ami Helen Kingba Momtajke Dekhini”, and “Tumi Raat Ami Raatjaga Pakhi”. The noted artiste breathed his last on 6 December.

Papia Sarwar: Papia Sarwar was a noted Tagore of the country. Her modern song, “Nai Telephone Nai Re Peon Nai Re Telegram”, gained immense popularity among Bengali music enthusiasts.  The noted singer breathed her last on 12 December.

C B Zaman:  C B Zaman was a film director, actor and model who directed many Dhallywood films.  He directed films between 1973 and 1990.  CB Zaman-directed popular films are– “Jhorer Pakhi”, “Ujan Bhati”, “Puroskar”, “Shuvoratri”, “Hasi”, “Lal Golap” , “Kusum Koli” and others. The noted director breathed his last on 20 December.