For Enamul Haque, the classroom and the theatre were never separate worlds. A chemistry professor by profession, he devoted much of his life to acting, playwriting and directing, becoming a distinctive figure in Bangladesh’s cultural landscape.
The veteran actor, playwright and director died on 11 October 2021, aged 78, after falling ill at his Bailey Road residence in Dhaka.
Five years on, his contributions to theatre, television and education remain part of his legacy.
Born in Feni on 29 May 1943, Haque discovered acting while studying at Notre Dame College. He later became one of the founding members of Nagorik Natya Sampradaya in 1968.
In 1995, he established Nagorik Nattyangan, leading the troupe as its president until his death.
His creative work extended beyond the stage. His television play Anek Diner Ekdin aired in 1968, and he went on to write around 60 plays for television.
Among his notable works were Seishob Dinguli, Nirjon Shoikote and Ke Ba Apon Ke Ba Por.
Alongside his artistic career, Haque taught at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) for 43 years, serving as chairman of its chemistry department for 15 years. He retired as a professor in 2008.
His contributions earned him the Ekushey Padak in 2012 and the Independence Award in 2017. Married to theatre personality Lucky Enam, he also helped nurture an artistic environment within his family.
Haque’s legacy lies not in a single performance or play, but in a life spent moving between the classroom and the stage—teaching, creating and helping sustain Bangladesh’s theatre tradition.
