People from all walks of life paid their last respects to Independence Award and Ekushey Padak winning musicologist, musician and writer Mobarak Hossain Khan at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Tuesday morning.
Mobarak Hossain Khan, son of Ustad Ayet Ali Khan, played the Surbahar, a string instrument meant for classical music. He also penned around 50 books on music during his lifetime and served as director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from 1992 to 1996.
He passed away on November 24 in his residence at West Rampura in Dhaka. He was 81. He left behind two sons Tareef Hayat Khan and Tanim Hayat Khan and one daughter Reenat Fauzia, who is a sitarist. His wife Fauzia Yasmin is the elder sister of popular singer Sabina Yasmin.
‘My father was suffering from age-related complications. He passed away in his sleep,’ Tareef Hayat Khan told New Age.
Mobarak Hossain Khan’s body was taken to Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at around 11:30am on Tuesday where Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy officials paid tribute by placing floral wreath.
His first namaz-e-janaza was held in front of the Music and Dance Centre of the academy. His second namaz-e-janaza was held after Zuhr prayer. He was buried at Shahjahanpur Graveyard.
‘Mobarak Hossain Khan was born and raised in a renowned family of musicians. He made significant contribution to country’s music scene. He was suffering from age-related complications. May his departed soul rest in peace,’ said director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky.
‘He was my elder brother. He worked at the radio for 30 years and later served as a director general of Bangladesh Shilpkala Academy. He also wrote many books. Music was his passion. His contribution to country’s culture scene cannot be forgotten,’ said Sheikh Sadi Khan.
‘I had a cordial relationship with Mobarak Hossain Khan. He was my colleague at Bangladesh Betar. He hailed from a renowned family of musicians. He will be missed and never forgotten. May his soul rest in peace,’ said veteran singer, composer and music director Azad Rahman.
‘We studied at the same department at Dhaka University. He was senior to me. We have performed together at many programmes. His death has left a huge void in country’s music scene,’ said singer Syed Abdul Hadi.
Mobarak Hossain Khan was born on February 27, 1938 at Shibpur village under Nobinagar Upazila in Brahmanbaria district. His father Ustad Ayet Ali Khan was a renowned exponent of classical music. His uncle Ustad Dr Alauddin Khan was also a prominent musician. Mobarak was third among six siblings. His younger brother Sheikh Sadi Khan is a renowned music director.
Mobarak began his career as a producer at Bangladesh Betar on October 20 in 1962. Later he served as the director of Bangladesh Betar. During his lifetime, Mobarak wrote numerous books on music.
He had represented Bangladesh in many countries including the USA, UK, China, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, North Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, Kuwait, Iran, India, Pakistan and Australia.
Mobarak received many awards for his contribution to music including Ekushey Padak (1986), Independence Award (1994), and Bangla Academy Award (2002).