Cultural Icons Pay Tribute to Bangladesh Puppet Pioneer Mustafa Monwar
Photo Collected
Eminent cultural figures and admirers gathered at the National Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Friday to pay tribute to Mustafa Monwar, the legendary artist and pioneer of puppet theatre, who passed away on June 29 at the age of 90. Known as the “Puppetman of Bangladesh,” Monwar died at a private hospital in Dhaka after a long battle with pneumonia and prostate cancer.
Organized by the Shilpi Mustafa Monwar Smaran Parishad, the memorial service highlighted Monwar’s multifaceted contribution to the nation’s cultural landscape, characterized by his philosophy of “art for life” and “art for resistance.” Speakers emphasized that his influence spanned nearly every branch of the arts, particularly in his revolutionary approach to television production and children’s programming, which set new benchmarks in the industry.
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Renowned artist Rafiqun Nabi, who was a student of Monwar at the then Dhaka Art College in 1961, reflected on his mentor’s improvisational mastery. He recalled how Monwar encouraged his students to work with freedom and passion, often demonstrating breathtaking watercolor techniques that defied the rigid academic constraints of the time. Beyond the canvas, Nabi noted, Monwar’s deep patriotism and intellectual engagement with Rabindranath Tagore were central to his character.
Mofidul Hoque, a trustee of the Liberation War Museum, recounted Monwar’s early political activism, noting that he was arrested at age 15 for his involvement in the 1952 Language Movement. Monwar’s artistic contributions during that era, including the creation of protest posters that covered the city, led to his brief incarceration and subsequent move to Kolkata, where he pursued formal art education under the encouragement of writer Syed Mujtaba Ali. Upon his return, he enriched the art scene of the then East Pakistan, constantly challenging government narratives with the power of creative expression.
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Others shared personal accounts of his profound mentorship. Former Bangladesh Television (BTV) director general M. Hamid attributed his own career trajectory to Monwar’s guidance, noting that he chose a path in the arts over a career in the civil service based on the artist’s counsel. Actor and director Tariq Anam Khan echoed these sentiments, stressing that Monwar’s visionary work must be systematically preserved to inspire future generations.
Monwar’s wife, Mary Monwar, expressed deep gratitude for the public’s enduring affection, sharing how his presence often drew crowds of admirers who viewed him as a national treasure. The event featured screenings of documentaries on his life, clips from his production of the play *Raktakarabi*, and tributes through music, dance, and poetry.
The memorial, moderated by actor and writer Afzal Hossain, concluded with a performance by the puppet troupe Monwar founded, symbolizing the continuity of his creative legacy. Other speakers, including cultural personality Nasir Uddin Yousuff, actor Keramat Mawla, and dancer Shamim Ara Nipa, reaffirmed that while the artist is gone, his works remain a foundational pillar of Bangladesh’s cultural identity.
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