Tareque Masud: The Passing of an Inspiration

As you've all heard by now, Tareque Masud, renowned film director of Bangladesh, passed away on the 13th of August. His vehicle and an oncoming bus had a head-on collision, leaving him and four other passengers dead. Among the four was ATN news channel's chief executive, Mishuk Munier. Tareque's wife Catherine Masud, painter Dhali Al Mamun, his wife Dilara Zaman Jolly and film production staff Saidul Islam were reported to be seriously injured in the accident.

Having selected a shooting spot for Masud's next film 'Kajoler Ful', the group was returning home to Dhaka from Gohir when the accident occurred. We at the Rising Stars thought it would be appropriate to say a few words in remembrance of this great man.

Those of you who have heard about him already know everything there is to know, and for those who haven't, Tareque Masud was an independent film director. Most of you have probably heard about the films 'Muktir Gaan' or 'Matir Moyna', or both. Well, these two masterpieces were directed by Tareque Masud. The latter was his first full length feature film, and it shot him to success when the film won the International Critic's Award at the Cannes film Festival in 2002. This movie was based on his personal insight and follows the story of a child's experiences in a madrasa, with the Bangladesh War of Liberation set in the background. Tareque Masud's direction and cinematography proved to be pivotal in the making of this film, for this was the first Bangladeshi film to compete in the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Tareque Masud's first film was a documentary on painter SM Sultan which was called 'Adam Surat'. At an early age, his career was also catapulted to success by the recognition and fame from his documentary Muktir Gaan (The Song of Freedom) which came out in 1995. The movie is a fantastic film about a group of dancers who inspire freedom fighters during the Liberation War by singing songs. These two films have swept all over Bangladesh reaching far and wide, inspiring many who have watched them. The movies have reached international fame, in the sense that Muktir Gaan had the Special Mention, 1997 Film South Asia and Matir Moyna won many other awards.

Tareque Masud's name was spoken by youngsters with a sense of respect and passion, his works were discussed at tables and gatherings of the elder generation; he became a metaphorical ambassador of Bangladesh as his movies gained international recognition and his directing skills just kept getting better.

His death is being mourned all across the nation. It just goes to show how much of an effect this one man with his simple camera had on the people here. This is a great loss for Bangladesh and the passing of a man who has been integral in the development of Bangladeshi cinema. We might mourn his death and shed tears, but at the end of the day, all that's left to do is cherish what he has left behind and all those lives he has touched.

Tareque Masud, we will miss you.

By Munawar Mobin

I Am Going On A Journey

I am going on a journey,
Won't you come along?
I need someone to help me.
A person big and strong.
I'm walking on my journey
But my feet are very small.
Can you stand beside me,
And catch me if I fall?
At times when I can't keep up
With life and all its fears,
Can you put me on your shoulders
And wipe away the tears?
When the steps I take are not big enough
And it's hard for me to grow
I know I can depend on you
To let me take it slow.
I'm going on a journey,
Please, won't you walk with me?
I need someone who understands
The place where I should be.
I promise when the road is tough
And you want to turn back home.
I will hold your hand real tight,
So you won't feel so alone.
I'm going on a journey
I don't know where it ends,
But if we walk together,
We can always be best friends.
And when the journey's over
And we find where we should be.
I know that you will be so glad,
You took this path with me.
I'm going on a journey,
Please, won't you come along?
I need someone to guide me
A parent big & strong.

By Raisa Rownak