Eminent musicologist, writer, and researcher Mustafa Zaman Abbasi was laid to rest at Azimpur Graveyard in the capital on Saturday, as tributes poured in from across the country mourning the loss of a towering figure in the arena of Bangladeshi music and culture.
Abbasi, 88, passed away early Saturday morning at a hospital in the capital after suffering from respiratory complications. He had been battling age-related ailments for some time, according to family sources.
Following his Janaza after Zuhr prayers at Gulshan Azad Mosque, Abbasi was buried beside his father, the legendary folk singer Abbasuddin Ahmed, and his mother Lutfunnesa Abbasi at Azimpur Graveyard.
Born on December 8, 1936 in Balrampur village of Cooch Behar, India, Abbasi spent his early years in Kolkata before moving to Dhaka. He completed his BA and MA from Dhaka University and pursued another degree in Marketing.
Abbasi, a former director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, was revered for his research on Bengali folk music, especially Bhawaiya, Murshidi, and the songs of Bhati Bangla. His writings and television works brought little-known rural musicians and lyricists to national attention.
Following the news of Abbasi's death, eminent writer and his lifelong friend Hasnat Abdul Hye shared a deeply personal tribute on Facebook on Saturday, recalling: “I had planned to visit my college and university friend Tulu (Mustafa Zaman Abbasi) this morning. As I was getting out of bed, our childhood friend Din Mohammad informed me that he had passed away the night before."
"We shared a long friendship and countless memories. Today will remain steeped in nostalgia and sorrow," Hye penned, remembering his lifelong friend.
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One of Abbasi's family members and granddaughter, singer Armeen Musa, shared her grief in a tribute post, writing: “My choto nana Mustafa Zaman Abbasi's music has touched many hearts, and his passing will be a grave loss for his audience and his family whom he always showered with love.”
“He introduced us to immensely talented folk artists from remote corners of the country. Despite his urban upbringing, he sang with the soul of rural Bengal,” Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, wrote on Facebook. “Though his death, we lost a giant in music, arts, and culture.”
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman also expressed his condolences, praising Abbasi's contributions to Bengali cultural heritage.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, he described Abbasi as a member of a traditional cultural family and highlighted his significant impact on the development of healthy cultural practices in Bangladesh, and prayed for Abbasi's soul and offered his deepest sympathies to his family and admirers.
Bangla Academy, where Abbasi was a Fellow, issued a statement noting his unmatched contributions to the preservation of Bengali folk culture and his deep involvement with the institution’s folklore initiatives.
“A multifaceted writer and scholar, Abbasi played a vital role in upholding the traditions of folk music and cultural heritage,” stated Mohammad Azam, Director General of the Academy.
Besides, the Chief Adviser's office issued an obituary yesterday, many other music artists, literateurs, cultural personalities, organisations and institutions, including his former workplace Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, also shared heartfelt tribute to Mustafa Zaman Abbasi.
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Abbasi’s long-running column “Godhulir Chhayapothe” in the daily Prothom Alo was revered by the readers for its blend of memory, insight, and musical history. Besides, he has hosted numerous television programmes and well regarded for his majestic songs and ghazals.
He is survived by a celebrated family of music artists including sister Ferdousi Rahman, niece Nashid Kamal, and granddaughter Armeen Musa.
His late wife Asma Abbasi was a distinguished educator and author.