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Published : 23 Feb 2025, 11:28 PM
Sara Ara Mahmud, former director of the Department of Drama and Film at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, has died at her residence in Dhaka.
She was the wife of Martyr Altaf Mahmud, the composer of the iconic song “Amar Bhai-er Rokte Rangano Ekushe February”.
She was 78.
Her son-in-law, Sayed Hasan Tipu, a member of the Obscure band, confirmed her passing to bdnews24.com at 6:25pm on Sunday.
Tipu, husband of Sara’s only daughter, Shawan Mahmud, said: "A few days ago, my mother-in-law underwent surgery after breaking her hip joint. She was doing well after the stitches were removed.
“However, she had been experiencing breathing difficulties over the last four days. She also suffered from kidney disease," said Tipu.
"On Sunday evening, while attempting to feed her, it was found that she was no longer breathing," he added.
Tipu said the funeral prayer will be held near her residence after Zohr prayers on Monday, followed by her burial at the Banani Graveyard.
Shawan also posted on Facebook about her mother's death.
“She left us in the month of language," she said.
Musician Altaf Mahmud was among the intellectuals who were brutally killed by the Pakistan Army, with support from local collaborators like Al-Badr and Razakars.
On Aug 30, 1971, the occupation forces captured the renowned composer.
Like Shahidullah Kaiser, Munir Chowdhury, and Zahir Raihan, he never returned.
After losing her husband, Sara Mahmud fought another battle in life, raising Shawan.
She had worked at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy for 34 years.
Sara was a witness to the event when Pakistani forces took Altaf from their house opposite Dhaka’s Rajarbagh in 1971.
She shared this account in several interviews with the media over time.
Her younger sister, Shimul Yousuf, is a well-known figure in Bangladesh's theatre community, renowned as “Manchakusum”.
