Saeeda Kamal Tulu, the youngest daughter of renowned poet Sufia Kamal and younger sister of human rights activist Sultana Kamal, has passed away at the age of 74. She is survived by her only daughter.
The freedom fighter and artist died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka at around 7.30am on Sunday.
Saeeda had long been suffering from various age-related health complications, according to her sister Sultana.
Following a recent deterioration in her condition, she was admitted to a private hospital in the capital, where she received treatment in the intensive care unit but did not recover.
Saeeda’s elder brother, journalist and teacher Shahed Kamal, passed away on 4 July this year.
During the 1971 Liberation War, Saeeda served as a nurse at the Bangladesh Field Hospital on the war front alongside her elder sister Sultana.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Liberation War, she was awarded the “Commander-in-Chief’s Special Commendation.”
Beyond her wartime service, Saeeda made significant contributions to the development of fine arts in Bangladesh through her creative work.
After completing higher studies at the Faculty of Fine Art at the University of Dhaka, she received specialised training in design at Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan, India.
Her artistic works were featured in several solo and group exhibitions both at home and abroad.
