Theatre icon Ataur Rahman passes away

Veteran actor, playwright and theatre director Ataur Rahman, one of the pioneering figures of Bangladesh’s post-independence theatre movement, died at the age of 84.

The celebrated cultural icon breathed his last around midnight on Monday (May 11) while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital's Dhanmondi, family members and fellow artistes confirmed.

His death was confirmed by actor Rawnak Hasan and Actors Equity Bangladesh General Secretary Rashed Mamun Apu.

Expressing grief over the veteran artiste’s passing, Rawnak Hasan described Ataur Rahman as an inspirational force in Bangladesh’s theatre movement and prayed for eternal peace for his departed soul.

Family sources said the veteran cultural figure had long been suffering from age-related complications. His condition deteriorated rapidly after he sustained serious injuries from a fall at his residence last Friday.

His daughter Sharmistha Rahman said he was initially taken to a hospital in Gulshan but later shifted to a hospital in Dhanmondi after ICU support was unavailable there. He was placed on life support upon admission. Although his condition briefly improved and life support was removed, his health worsened again on Sunday, prompting doctors to place him back on life support.

Born on June 18, 1941, in Noakhali, Ataur Rahman built a distinguished legacy as an actor, playwright, writer and stage director. He was widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Bangladeshi theatre and played a significant role in shaping the country’s cultural landscape after independence.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to arts and culture, the Government of Bangladesh honoured him with both the Independence Award and the Ekushey Padak.

His death leaves a profound void in Bangladesh’s cultural arena.