Ekushey Padak and Independence Award-winning theatre personality Ataur Rahman was laid to rest on Tuesday at Banani Graveyard, where he was buried beside his mother, in accordance with the family’s wishes. The matter was confirmed by his daughter, Sharmistha Rahman.
Earlier, his funeral prayer was held at an open field in front of his residence in Moghbazar. Following the namaz-e-janaza, his body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar, where people from all walks of life paid their last respects between 3:00pm and 4:00pm.
Ataur Rahman passed away late Monday night after remaining on life support for 10 consecutive days. He was due to turn 85 in June this year. He is survived by his wife Shahida Rahman, daughter Sharmistha Rahman, son Shwashata Rahman, and numerous admirers and well-wishers.
According to family members, his health deteriorated after he fell at home on May 1. He was first taken to a hospital in Gulshan, but was later shifted to another hospital in Dhanmondi due to the lack of ICU facilities. He had been on life support since his admission there. Although his condition showed temporary signs of improvement, it worsened again, prompting doctors to place him back on life support. He was declared dead around 12:45am on Monday night after life support was withdrawn.
Ataur Rahman was regarded as one of the pioneers of Bangladesh’s theatre and cultural movement. Born on June 18, 1941, in Noakhali, he completed his postgraduate studies in Soil Science at the University of Dhaka. He was one of the founding members of Nagorik Natya Sampradaya and played a key role in the post-independence theatre movement in Bangladesh.
He began his journey as a director in 1972 with Michael Madhusudan Dutt’s “Buro Shaliker Ghare Ro.” Over the years, he directed several acclaimed productions, including “Waiting for Godot,” “Galileo,” “Raktakarabi,” “Ekhon Dushshomoy,” “Opekkhaman,” “Payer Awaj Pawa Jay,” and “Macbeth.”
Alongside theatre, he remained actively involved in teaching, essay writing, and publishing books on drama and theatre studies. He also held important positions in various cultural and international theatre organisations. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the country’s cultural and theatrical landscape, he was honoured with both the Ekushey Padak and the Independence Award.
