Altaf Mahmud

Altaf Mahmud was a musician, cultural activist, and martyred freedom fighter of the Bangladesh Libera-tion War. He was also a language activist of the Language Movement and composer of "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano", the famous song written to commemorate the event. Altaf Mahmud was born on 23 December 1933 in Patarchar village of Muladi Thana under Barisal district. Mahmud started singing while he was a school boy.

He first learnt music from famous violin player Suren Roy. He learnt to sing gana sangit (people's song), which brought him popularity during that time. During 1950 he sang gonoshongit in many places to inspire the activists of the Language Movement. Along with his singing, Mahmud continued to support the movement.