Altaf Mahmud Padak 2019 was conferred at a programme held on Friday at Music and Dance Centre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Ekushey Padak winning cultural activist, freedom fighter and organiser Kamal Lohani and designers of Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Rayerbazar architect Farid Uddin Ahmed and architect Jami Al Shafi received the award for their contributions to their respective fields.
The foundation, which began its journey in 2005, confers the award on August 30 every year marking Altaf Mahmud”s disappearance day. He was abducted by on August 30, 1971 by Pakistani occupation forces and never returned since then. State minister for cultural affairs K M Khalid handed over the crests among the recipients while Altaf Mahmud”s family members distributed the cash prize and sash.
Shawon Mahmud, daughter of Altaf Mahmud and member secretary of Altaf Mahmud Foundation, theatre artist and filmmaker Nasiruddin Yousuff, Sangeeta Imam, Hasan Arif and others were present at the programme.
Nasiruddin Yousuff presided over the event and Shawon Mahmud delivered the welcome speech.
“I met Altaf Mahmud in 1956 at a political conference in old Dhaka. Altaf Mahmud was a person of values and a punctual man,” recalled award winner Kamal Lohani.
“He inspired the masses with his timeless compositions. He always defended the rights of the unprivileged. The young generation should follow in his footsteps,” Kamal Lohani added.
“Altaf Mahmud will be remembered forever for his composition of the song Amar bhai er rokte rangano Ekushey,” said Farid Uddin Ahmed, referring to the timeless song.
“I want to thank the organisers for honouring me with an award named after Altaf Mahmud. I feel privileged to receive the award,” said Jami Al Shafi.
Till date Shaheed Altaf Mahmud Foundation has honoured 21 veteran artists, actors, thespians, musicians, writers and cultural personalities including Aly Zaker, Mofidul Haque, Hasan Imam, Sabina Yasmin, Ferdousi Mazumder and others.
