Speaking to The Daily Star about Ataur Rahman, Mamunur Rashid said, “I have known him since before the independence of Bangladesh.

Tariq Anam Khan concluded, “I am saddened by his passing. But this is the way life is — one must leave eventually. Still, the encouragement he gave me will always remain a source of inspiration.”

One of the most successful and widely acclaimed productions on Dhaka’s stage was “Galileo”, directed by Ataur Rahman.

Concluding his reflections, he said, “One after another, the memories keep coming back to me. I pray for the peace of his soul. May Almighty Allah grant him Jannah.”

The venue became a space of deep emotion as leading figures from Bangladesh’s theatre, cultural, and artistic communities came to bid farewell. Among those present were faculty members from the Theatre Departments of Jagannath University and the University of Dhaka, along with many prominent cultural personalities.

Born on 18 June 1941 in Noakhali, Ataur Rahman was regarded as one of the pioneers of Bangladesh’s post-independence theatre movement. Over several decades, he made significant contributions to the country’s cultural sphere as a playwright, actor, stage director, and writer.

Renowned theatre personality, actor, playwright, and stage director Ataur Rahman is no more. He breathed his last at around 12am on Monday night while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. He was 84.

The Ekushey Padak and Swadhinata Padak awardee has been on life support for the past 10 days following a fall that led to multiple organ complications.

The play serves as a poignant reminder of the brutal assassination of Bangladesh's founding father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and his entire family at their residence in Dhanmondi 32 on the fateful night of August 15, 1975.

The three-phase programme will begin with a convention bringing together over 500 thespians, and theatre activists at 4:00 pm, today. Awards and over 50 new play scripts will be delivered after the inauguration of the ceremony.