Nawazish Ali Khan - 50 Years in Television

Returning to Bangladesh in 1972, Nawazish Ali Khan joined BTV and after completing 28 years of successful tenure, he retired as the General Manager. He joined Ekushey TV in the same year as Head of Program. In 2002 after Ekushey Television went off air, he joined ATN Bangla as Advisor (Program) and has been in this post for the last 15 years.

Growing up in a middle-class family, Nawazish Ali Khan never thought he would become a media expert one day. His childhood was limited to radio shows and gramophone recordings. Back then he was so fond of Abbas Uddin's music that one day he ran beside the river to listen to his songs that were being played a mile away. He met and worked with respected political and media personalities throughout his career. He always persevered to take TV channels to newer heights.

Nawazish Ali Khan has always emphasized the use of grammar and rule in TV production in order to produce quality programs. He focuses on the application of 'geography', i.e. a technical study of light, sound, and distance in dramas and movies, as the main principle of a quality production. He believes that television is a complex combination of creativity and technicality. It requires knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to build a successful on-screen story.

When TV was first introduced to Bangladesh, roughly 53 years ago, there was a jingle that said, “Television will educate, inform and entertain people in a positive way.” Nawazish Ali Khan has always been a strong supporter of this jingle and thus introduced programs that had underlined teachings. He was the initiator of edutainment programs like Ratnadwip which aimed to make Bengali literature more interesting and easy to understand. Dr Alauddin Al Azad was another educated mind who has worked hard for the success of this program. Ratnadwip echoed the intention for which television was introduced in our country. Nawazish Ali Khan also worked for the advancement of Palligeeti (rural songs). Proficient singers like Abdul Latif, Abdul Alim, Neena Hamid were names that popularized the programme. Esho Gaan Shikhi was another incredible contribution by Nawazish Ali Khan and Ferdausi Rahman.

Among his notable works are Bornali, a subject-oriented hourly musical show, for which he has won the National Award for Best Producer in 1976; Jalsha, which featured prominent Bangladeshi bands; and Eid Special Program Anondomela, which has been hosted by renowned personalities like Annisul Huq, Abed Khan, Dr. Sanjida Akhter, Abdullah Abu Sayeed and Jewel Aich, among others. Nawazish Ali Khan has also produced the first SAF games for BTV, which was planned by Mustafa Monwar. He has also collaborated with Humayun Ahmed in multiple projects, including Humayun’s first television play Prothom Prohor. His works also include popular television shows Shoptoporna hosted by Abdullah Abu Sayeed and Jodi Kichu Mone Na Koren hosted by Fazle Lohani. Nawazish Ali Khan has also won the National Award for Best Producer in 1975 for magazine shows and other programs. His work Jananee has been recognized with a merit certificate from the United Nations, while Korean Broadcasting Network has awarded Kaajer Gaan, an episode of Bornali, with a merit certificate. Some of his invaluable recognitions include Sher-E-Bangla Literary Award (1992), Dhaka Youth Foundation Award (1995), Kalodhwani Independence Gold Medal (1995), National Personality Award (1995), TDF Lifetime Achievement Award (2004), A-1 Telemedia and Silk Line Independence Award (2005), Bijoy Barta Shommanona Award (2017) and many more.

Nawazish Ali Khan has a large circle of friends and well-wishers who have worked with him for the last 50 years. Syed Manzoorul Islam, in one of his tributes to this marvel, writes, “Nawazish Ali Khan is one of the most modest and unpretentious people. His education has shaped his personality and sharpened his creativity. When someone praises him for this work, he smiles shyly. A little bit of uneasiness always accompanies that blushful smile.”