Veteran Ganasangeet artist Kamruddin Absar passes away

Veteran Ganasangeet artist, composer, lyricist and cultural activist Kamruddin Absar died on Saturday night while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka. He was a leading figure in Bangladesh's progressive cultural movement and was widely respected for using music as a tool for social change and people's rights.

Kamruddin Absar breathed his last at around 9:30 p.m. at BISH Hospital in the capital, where he had been on life support in the intensive care unit (ICU). He had long been suffering from various health complications.

According to family sources, Absar suffered a major stroke in 2011 and had since been receiving medical care. His condition deteriorated in recent weeks after he developed severe pneumonia and influenza, leading to his hospitalization on May 14.

He is survived by his wife, poet Ferdousi Begum, and their son Adnan Mukit, Executive Editor of the popular children's magazine Kishor Alo.

Throughout his life, Absar remained closely associated with Bangladesh's progressive cultural and political movements. He played an active role in organizations including Bangladesh Lekhok Shibir and Ganasanskriti Front, advocating for the rights of workers, farmers and marginalized communities through music and cultural activism.

A respected music teacher, he mentored numerous young artists and was known for his performances of songs by legendary folk and Ganasangeet singer Hemanga Biswas. He also composed music for children's songs and progressive cultural productions.

One of his most notable contributions was composing the tune for the protest song "Bolo Joy Jagrata Bir Janagan, Hatao Samrajyabad...", written by activist and writer Mohsin Shastrapani. The song became an anthem during the 2006 Phulbari movement against the proposed coal mine project.

Tributes poured in from cultural and political circles following news of his death. Economist and activist Anu Muhammad remembered Absar as a committed cultural organizer who dedicated his life to struggles for social justice and inspired generations through his music.

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According to family members, Absar's body will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Monday morning for public homage. His funeral prayers will be held after Zuhr prayers at the Central Mosque of the University of Dhaka before burial.

Several organizations, including the Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi, Bangladesh Lekhok Shibir and Ganasanskriti Front, expressed deep sorrow over his death, describing it as a significant loss to the country's progressive cultural movement.