Former Bangladesh Television (BTV) general manager Rezaul Karim has died at the age of 20 September. He passed away at around 1:30pm on Sunday, 20 September, due to complications associated with old age.
Family sources said preparations were underway to bury him with state honours as a freedom fighter after his namaz-e-janaza.
Born into a culturally inclined family in Rajshahi, Rezaul Karim spent his professional life closely connected with television, music and the cultural sector. Over a long career, he worked in programme production as well as in key administrative and policy-making roles.
One of the most significant chapters of his life was his involvement in the 1971 Liberation War. Driven by his passion for music, he joined Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the war. Alongside presenting programmes, he performed patriotic songs that helped boost the morale of freedom fighters and people supporting the independence struggle.
The government later officially recognised his contribution to the Liberation War. A gazette issued by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on 16 November 2016 recognised 108 artistes and broadcasters of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra as freedom fighters. His name appears in the Rajshahi district list as “Md Rezaul Karim (Robu)”.
Rezaul Karim also played an important role in the history of television broadcasting and programme production in Bangladesh. During his long career at BTV, he worked in programme production and held various administrative and policy-making positions before eventually serving as the channel’s general manager and retiring from the post.
Colleagues said he also played an important role behind many of BTV’s popular and enduring programmes.
After retiring from BTV, Rezaul Karim Robu joined Channel i as head of its programme department. There, he contributed to developing diverse programmes for private television, including cultural shows, festival-based productions and other innovative formats.
News of his death has cast a shadow of grief over Bangladesh’s television, music and cultural communities. Former colleagues and cultural figures have expressed deep sorrow at his passing.
