'Puppet Man of Bangladesh' Mustafa Monwar Passes Away at 90

Renowned artist, cultural personality and national icon Mustafa Monwar passed away on Monday morning while undergoing treatment for age-related health complications at a hospital in Dhaka. 

He was 90. His family confirmed that the legendary cultural figure breathed his last at approximately 8:30 am. 

Born on September 1, 1935, in Jashore, Monwar was the youngest of six children of the celebrated poet Golam Mostafa. 

He pursued his early education at Narayanganj Government School and later attended Scottish Church College in Kolkata before graduating first-class in Fine Arts from the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, in 1959.

Affectionately known as the "Puppet Man of Bangladesh," Monwar left an indelible mark on the nation's cultural landscape. 

During the 1971 Liberation War, he famously organized puppet shows at refugee camps in West Bengal to raise awareness about the war. 

His television puppet show, Moner Kotha, which aired on Bangladesh Television (BTV) for 12 years, became a cultural staple; the show famously adapted the folklore Saat Bhai Champa, chronicling the story of a girl named Parul and her seven brothers. 

Bangla Academy Director General Prof. Mohammad Azam, in a condolence message, honored Monwar as a legendary figure and an honorary fellow of the Academy, stating, "Monwar’s contribution to the creative development of the country’s media including Bangladesh Television is unforgettable."

Monwar’s illustrious professional career spanned several high-profile leadership roles. After beginning as a lecturer at the then-East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts, he served as the Deputy Director General and later Director General of Bangladesh Television (BTV). 

His administrative contributions also included serving as the Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the National Institute of Mass Communication, as well as the Managing Director of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC). Additionally, he was the founder-president of the Directors Guild Bangladesh.

Throughout his lifetime, Mustafa Monwar received numerous accolades for his artistic contributions, including the All India Fine Arts Competition award and the Zainul Abedin Gold Medal. 

In 2004, he was honored with the Ekushey Padak, the country’s highest civilian award. 

As the nation mourns the loss of a maestro whose creative works enriched the childhoods of generations and profoundly shaped Bangladesh’s cultural heritage, Prof. Mohammad Azam and others have expressed their sincere condolences to the bereaved family, praying for the eternal peace of the artist’s soul.