Sara Mahmud, widow of martyred intellectual Altaf Mahmud, dies at 75

Sara Mahmud, the 75-year-old widow of martyred music composer, Language Movement icon, and freedom fighter Altaf Mahmud, passed away on Sunday evening.

Her only daughter, Shawan Mahmud, along with other family sources, confirmed that Sara Mahmud passed away at 6:25 pm.

According to her son-in-law and Obscure band frontman Sayed Hasan Tipu, Sara Mahmud had undergone surgery a few days prior after fracturing her hip joint. She was recovering well after the stitches were removed; however, she had been experiencing breathing difficulties for the past four days and was also suffering from kidney disease.

According to family sources, her namaz-e-janaza will be held after Zohr prayers on Monday at Noor Nagar Jame Masjid in Eskaton. She will then be buried at the capital’s Banani Graveyard.

Sara Mahmud devoted her life to preserving the legacy of her husband, Altaf Mahmud, who was abducted by the Pakistan Army on August 30, 1971. Like other intellectuals of his time, including Shahidullah Kaiser, Munier Chowdhury, and Zahir Raihan, he never returned.

Following Altaf Mahmud’s disappearance, Sara Mahmud fought a lifelong battle to raise their only daughter, Shawan Mahmud, while keeping her husband's memory and legacy alive.

She served at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) for 34 years, holding the position of Director of the Drama and Film Department in her esteemed career.

Her younger sister, Shimul Yousuf, and brother-in-law, Nasiruddin Yousuff, are eminent theatre personalities in the country.