Veteran cultural personality and artist Mustafa Monwar has been undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Square Hospital in Dhaka for the past four days after developing pneumonia, his family confirmed on Thursday.
His wife, Mary Monwar, told local media that he was admitted to hospital on June 14 after experiencing low blood pressure and declining oxygen levels.
“We took him to the hospital’s emergency department on 14 June. His blood pressure and oxygen levels were dropping. After assessing his condition, the doctors advised that he be admitted to the ICU,” she said.
According to Mary Monwar, the artist has remained in intensive care since his admission and is currently being treated for a bacterial pneumonia infection.
Mustafa Monwar has been dealing with a number of health complications over the past two years and has required hospital treatment on several occasions.
In September 2024, he was placed on life support before his condition later stabilised. Family members say pneumonia is currently the primary health concern affecting him.
Widely regarded as one of Bangladesh’s most influential cultural figures, Mustafa Monwar began his professional career as a teacher at the Art College. He later became recognised as a pioneer of puppet shows in the country and earned widespread acclaim for creating television programmes for children that captivated generations of viewers.
In recognition of his contributions to the arts and culture sector, Mustafa Monwar received the Ekushey Padak in 2004. He was also awarded the Sultan Gold Medal by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 2018.
