Renowned artist and cultural personality Mustafa Monwar was celebrated on his 90th birthday through a special television programme titled 'Amader Mustafa Monwar', aired on Channel i at 6:15 pm on Monday.
The programme, directed and produced by Anonna Ruma, highlighted Monwar’s illustrious life and contributions to art, puppetry, theatre, and television.
Eminent painter Monirul Islam and renowned actor-filmmaker–painter Afzal Hossain joined the show to share their reflections on Monwar’s extraordinary career.
Fulfilling the artist’s birthday wish, over a hundred birds were released into the sky as a symbolic gesture of freedom. A group of young performers also sang to honour him, while rare artworks painted by Mustafa Monwar were showcased at the programme.
Born on September 1, 1935 in Jashore, Monwar was the youngest of six siblings. His father was renowned poet Golam Mostafa.
Mustafa Monwar studied at Narayanganj Government School before briefly enrolling in science at Scottish Church College, Kolkata. He later shifted to the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, graduating in 1959 with first class first in Fine Arts.
After beginning his professional career as a lecturer at the then East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts, Mustafa Monwar went on to serve as Deputy Director General of Bangladesh Television, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and National Institute of Mass Communication.
In his illustrious career Mustafa Monwar also held the positions of General Manager at BTV's Dhaka station, and Managing Director of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC). He also chaired the Population Development Centre and directed the Educational Puppet Development Centre.
An eminent cultural personality in the country, Mustafa Monwar made remarkable contributions to fine arts, puppetry, theatre, and television. He received the Ekushey Padak in 2004, along with numerous other honours including the Tenashinas Award for television drama (1990), Bangladesh Charushilpi Sangsad Award for fine arts (1992), Kids Honour Medal from Chittagong’s Kids Cultural Institute (1999), and special recognition from Shishu Kendra in 2002 for his contributions in painting, theatre direction, and puppet-making.
Mustafa Monwar married Mary Monwar in 1965, and the couple has a son, Sadat Monwar, and a daughter, Nandini Monwar.