Names those will be written in tears

A year has passed. Before we knew it, 2024 is now behind us. The Earth has once again orbited the Sun. So many words and stories have accumulated over the past year. In the new year, a new story will begin. However, some names will not be part of that story. This past year, we have lost many dear people. Some have lost family members, while others relatives. Even if they weren’t family, there are people who connect with us in such a way that they become like close friends, or even family. At the end of the year, their names are recorded in the annals of memory. Newspapers have published tributes to them under the heading, "Those We Lost This Year." It seems like just a list of names, numbers, and individuals. But their contributions to our arts, literature, and culture are so significant that they can’t simply be captured in a biographical account. Even though they have passed from our sight, their names continue to be written in our tears.

This year, we have lost several prominent figures from the cultural sphere. Poets, writers, researchers, musicians, composers, journalists, and actors from various walks of life have passed away. Our grief for them will never cease. This is an irreplaceable loss for the country.

For instance, poet Helal Hafiz left us at the end of the year, leaving everyone in tears. On December 13, he bid us a final farewell. He had been ill for a long time. The death of this beloved poet caused widespread grief across Bengal. Social media was flooded with the grief of his fans and readers. Known as the poet of slogans and love, Helal Hafiz was a luminary of Bengali poetry. His name became widely known after independence. With just one poetry collection,’ Je Jole Agun Jwale (The Fire That Burns in the Water)’, he gained celebrity status. Despite his immense popularity, he lived somewhat out of the public eye. From that shadow, he has now disappeared, but a poet never truly dies. As long as his line ‘Ekhon Jouboan Jar, Juddhe Jabar Tar Shreshtha Somoy (Now is the best time for youth to go to war)’ is uttered, he will return again.

Before we could even recover from the grief of Helal Hafiz’s passing, we received news of another loss. On December 20, interim government advisor for Civil Aviation, Tourism, and Land, A. F. Hasan Arif, passed away at the age of 83. He had been ill for some time and departed in his later years. All deaths bring sorrow, but this one was particularly poignant. After the popular uprising, the interim government began its journey with the dream of state reform. In that journey, one traveler has now fallen away. Someone will replace him, but while the emptiness of a chair can be filled quickly, the emptiness left by an individual can never truly be filled. As a lawyer, he was a man of great respect and admiration. His departure is, therefore, deeply painful.

The death of politician Matia Chowdhury this year has also been a great loss for us. Senior member of the Awami League’s presidium and former Deputy Leader of the National Parliament, Begum Matia Chowdhury, passed away on October 16 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, while undergoing treatment. Born on June 30, 1942, in Pirojpur, she was one of the few senior politicians of our time. For her immense bravery, she was honored with the title "Agni Kanya" (Daughter of Fire) during Ayub Khan's regime. Agni Kanya Matia Chowdhury was known by this name all across Bengal. Regardless of political affiliation, everyone loved and respected her.

This year, we lost several notable musicians, including Sadi Mohammad, Shafin Ahmed, Hasan Abidur Reza Jewel, Khalid, and Papia Sarwar. The death of Rabindra Sangeet singer Sadi Mohammad was the most tragic. He passed away on the evening of March 13. From that evening, news spread through the media and social networks that he had committed suicide. The shocking news of his unnatural death stunned the nation. It was hard for anyone to imagine that the calm and gentle Sadi Mohammad would commit such a thing. He had taken Tagore songs to a different level in this country. He remained unmarried and dedicated his entire life to the pursuit of music. Just like his songs, he was a unfathomable and serious person. He had a rich and soulful voice. His death left the whole country in sorrow. How could this be? Why did he commit suicide? How much pain did he hide inside that no one knew? He had been suffering from loneliness after losing his mother, and perhaps in search of relief from that loneliness, he chose the path of death. Such a death is not to be wished for anyone. Sadi Mohammad may have left this world physically, but his voice will resonate throughout Bengal forever. As long as the Bengali language exists, Rabindra Sangeet will remain, and as long as Rabindra Sangeet remains, Sadi Mohammad will be with us for sure.

We also lost another Rabindra Sangeet singer this year, Papia Sarwar, who passed away on December 12. She was as beautiful as she was melodious. She was known as the "Sweet Songbird." In addition to Rabindra Sangeet, she sang several modern songs. Some of her film playback songs were once heard everywhere, especially "Nai Telephone, Naire Peon, Naire Telegram," which is unforgettable for many.

Khalid, Shafin Ahmed, and Hasan Abidur Reza Jewel were also popular musicians in the country. Khalid passed away on March 18, Shafin on July 24, and Jewel on July 30. They had brought a new dimension to Bengali band music. Those who grew up in the 90s know the pain of losing them. These three musicians left us prematurely. The deaths of these three popular artists cast a shadow of sorrow over the country's music scene.

Music director Sujeo Shyam passed away at midnight on October 17. He was a freedom fighter with his music, known for his contributions to the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. He composed the last song of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in 1971, “Bijoy Nishan Urchhe Oi” (The Victory Flag Is Flying). This renowned composer created the first song after the surrender of the Pakistani invading forces.

Journalist Omar Faruk Shamim may not be known to many. He held important positions in various national dailies such as Pratidin-er Sangbad, Bangladesh-er Khobor, Jagoron, Din Poriborton, Bhorer Akash, and Bangladesh Bulletin for many years. His last position was as the news editor at Sangbad Prakash. He passed away on January 19 at 9 PM due to brain hemorrhage at Mugda Medical College Hospital in the capital. He was only 51 years old at the time of his sudden death. His passing caused a wave of grief in the journalistic community. Those who knew him personally can attest to how friendly and amiable he was. His untimely death cast a shadow of sorrow over the media world.

Actor Masud Ali Khan was renowned by his own name. This eminent actor had been acting in television dramas and films for over five decades. People across Bangladesh knew him by just his name. He began acting after the establishment of the television center in Dhaka in 1964. He made his big-screen debut with Sadeq Khan's film Nodi O Nari. He worked in only a few films. Though he was a regular actor, he was not a professional actor in the strict sense. He chose to work selectively in good projects, and his primary focus was on drama. He also worked in a government job alongside his acting career. However, anyone who watched his performances would agree that he was a born actor. It is indeed unfortunate that the directors in this country did not make full use of his talent. On October 31, he passed away at his residence in Green Road, Dhaka, at 4:20 PM, at the age of 95. He had been away from the drama world for many years before his death. The regret that this talented actor was not utilized to his full potential will likely linger with the directors of this country for a long time. He will remain memorable through his roles in several plays and films directed by Humayun Ahmed.

In 2001, a serial drama called Pret (The Ghost) aired on Ekushey Television. The drama was based on the novel by popular writer Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, and it was directed by Ahir Alam. In this drama, the character Rumi was portrayed by a tall and handsome young man with a resonant voice and sharp features. His acting was so impressive that countless viewers were captivated by his performance. This young man's name was Ahmed Rubel. Afterward, Ahmed Rubel continued to act in numerous dramas and films, mesmerizing audiences with his performances. One evening, during the special screening of the new film Peyarar Subas, directed by Nurul Alam Atique, Rubel was on his way to attend the event when he suddenly fell ill. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Even those who casually watch television dramas and films in Bangladesh recognized Ahmed Rubel. He had a special place in the hearts of discerning viewers, and his sudden death left them deeply shocked.

Professor Mohammad Harun-ur-Rashid was the former Director General of Bangla Academy. He was widely recognized as a teacher of English language and literature. Early in his career, he served as a professor of English literature at Jahangirnagar University. Many distinguished poets and writers of the country were his students. He was also well-known as a Sufi philosopher. He made several notable translations. After a prolonged battle with cancer, he passed away on November 26 at the Ibne Sina Hospital in the capital. He frequently posted Sufi-inspired prose and poetry on social media. His death cast a deep shadow of sorrow over the literary world.

Researcher Dr. Golam Morshed passed away on August 22. He will forever be remembered for his scholarly works such as Asha'r Chholone Bhuli (1995), Kalantore Bangla Gadyo (1992), Rassundori theke Rokeya: Nari Pragati'r Eksho Bochhor (1993), Samaj Sangskar Andolon o Bangla Natok (1985), Rabindrabishwe Purba Bange Rabindracharcha (1981), Swadhinata Sangramer Sangskritik Patobhumi (1971), Hazaar Bochhorer Bangali Sangskriti, Hindu Samaj Sangskar Andolon o Bangla Natok (2012), and Muktijuddho o Tarpor, Ekti Nirdaliyo Itihash (2010). Born on April 8, 1940, in the village of Dhamura, Ujirpur, Barisal, he passed away at the age of 84. His death is undoubtedly an irreplaceable loss for research literature.

Dr. Mahbubul Haque, former professor of the Bengali Department at Chittagong University, was a linguist, researcher, and essayist. He conducted significant research on Bengali spelling and grammar. He passed away on the night of July 24 at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.

This list of deaths could likely go on. However, the sorrow of farewells never truly ends. We do not want to bid farewell to those who have left us. We wish that they remain forever in our hearts through their creations and work.