Momtazuddin Ahmed's 85th birthday at Bangla Academy

Born in January 18, 1935, Momtazuddin Ahmed became one of the pioneering thespians to have contributed to the Bengali culture. Apart from being a playwright and an actor, his illustrious career far exceeded the theatrical stages, as he fulfilled the role of an esteemed educationist.

In order to pay homage to the virtuoso on his birthday, Bangla Academy arranged an event on January 18, at Abdul Karim Shahitya Bisharad Hall. Various stalwarts from the cultural arena and renowned media personalities including, Mamunur Rashid, Nawazish Ali Khan, Kamal Lohani, Habibullah Shirajee, Ramendu Majumdar and Asaduzzaman Noor, were present to partake at the joyous occasion alongside Momtazuddin Ahmed.

Ghulam Quddus, Member Secretary of Bangla Academy, hosted the programme which began with a melodious song. Concerned about the health of the guest of honour, he requested everyone to keep their sessions precise. In between the speeches of remembrance and appreciation, slots had to be allocated to make time for the monumental amount of theatre troupes and artistes from various organisations, students, colleagues and well-wishers, who came from all over the country, with their wreaths and other tokens of appreciation. Soon enough, the dais was full of bouquets, signifying the love people had, for the immense contributions made by the Ekushey Padak winning dramatist.

Finally, when the microphone was placed in front of Momtazuddin Ahmed, the buzzing of the house-full hall was silenced immediately. His humble words echoed with the essence of patriotism, as the audience soaked in the moment, spellbound. “You all have given me so much unconditional love, paired with all these bouquets. But where shall I keep this admiration? You all have put me up on a pedestal. I am not deserving of this greatness. I am an ordinary human being,” concluded the legendary Momtazuddin Ahmed.