Legendary lyricist, film director, producer and screenwriter Gazi Mazharul Anwar passed away at a hospital in the capital on Sunday. morning. He was 79.
"He was taken to the United Hospital from his Baridhara residence in the city at about 6:30am as he fell sick. There the on-duty doctors said that his pulse was not available. After some time, he was pronounced dead," said his daughter-in-law Shahana Mirza.
Gazi Mazharul Anwar had been suffering from acidity for the past few days, Shahana Mirza added.
He left behind his wife Zohra Gazi, son Sharfaraz Mehedi Utpal and daughter Rita Rahman to mourn his death. Rita Rahman lives in the United Staes. She will return to the country via Dubai in the afternoon, family members said.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson's advisory council member Professor Mamun Ahmed said an application was submitted to the Dhaka University vice-chancellor seeking permission to keep celebrated lyricist Gazi Mazharul Islam's body at Central Shaheed Minar so that people of all strata of the society can pay their last respect to him.
BNP Standing Committee member Khondker Mosharraf Hossain also went to the Baridhara residence of Gazi Mazharul Anwar and talked to the bereaved family members.
The body of the late lyricist has been kept at the mortuary of United Hospital at Gulshan.
He is scheduled to be buried at Banani graveyard beside his mother on Monday.
Gazi Mazharul Anwar, also a member of the BNP Chairperson's advisory council, was born in February 22, 1943, at Taleshwar village in Cumilla's Daudkandi upazila in the then Bengal Presidency of British India. He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2002 for his contribution to the field of music, and received the National Film Award five times. He also won the Swadhinata Padak last year.
Anwar started his career as a lyricist in the Dhallywood film industry in 1965. He wrote songs for Zahir Raihan's films, including Kacher Dewal (1965), Behula (1966), and Dui Bhai (1968).
Three of his songs have been included in the list of the '20 greatest Bengali songs', made by BBC Bangla.
He wrote 'Joy Bangla Banglar Joy', which became the theme song of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. He also wrote 'Amay Jodi Prosno Koro Kolokakolir Desh'. 'Joy Bangla' became the theme song for the Awami League.
He wrote screenplays for multiple films, including Urdu songs for Urdu-language films.
'Ek Nodi Rokto Periye,' 'Swajan Harano Diner Smarane,' 'Ektara Tui Desher Kotha', 'Bondhu Tor Barat Niya', 'Chokher nozor emni koira', 'Ekbar Jete Dena', 'Amay Jodi Prosno Koro Kolokakolir Desh', 'Jodi amake dekhte sadh hoy', 'Ei Prithibir Pore', 'Prosno Koro Na', 'Koto Sadhonay Emon Bhagyo Mele', 'Jibon Amar Dhonyo Holo', 'Hayre Hay Miss Lanka', 'Ganeri Khatay Swaralipi Likhe', 'Bazare Jachai Kore Dekhinito Daam', 'Amar Buker Modhyekhane', 'O Amar Roshiya Bondhure', 'Ogo Chand Ora Bole' and 'Tandrahara Noyono Amar', 'Sagorer Teer Theke,' 'Monero Ronge Rangabo,' 'Akasher Haatey Achhe Ek Rash Neel,' 'Osru Diye Lekha,' 'O Amar Rosiya Bondhure,' 'Eki Sonar Aloy,' 'Ami Rajanigandha Phuler Moto,' are some of his most popular songs in Bengali film industry.
As a film director, he has directed 19 films including “Shasti,” Bicharpoti,” “Artonad,” “Jiboner Golpo” and more.
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