Condolences pour in for Ekushey Padak-winning dancer Zeenat Barkatullah

 
Ekushey Padak-winning dance artiste and actress Zeenat Barkatullah passed away at her home in capital's Dhanmondi on Wednesday. She was 72.
A pall of gloom had descended on country's cultural arena as condolences poured in for Zeenat Barkatullah, who received acclaim performing Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri and folk dance, and acted in more than 80 small screen productions.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Ekushey Padak winning renowned dancer and actress Zeenat Barkatullah.

In separate condolence messages, they said that Zeenat Barkatullah was a renowned cultural personality, adding her death was an irreparable loss to the cultural arena of the country.

They prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep symphony to the bereaved family members. Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Zeenat Barkatullah.

Dance artiste and choreographer Minu Haque, actress and dance artiste Munmun Ahmed, dancer and choreographer Anisul Islam Hero and Actors’ Equity president actor Ahsan Habib Nasim shared their memories of Zeenat Barkatullah and recalled her contribution.

Besides earning accolades as a dancer and actress, Zinnat Barkatullah served as the director of the production, dance and music departments of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

She received Ekushey Padak in 2022 for her contribution to dance.
She also received prestigious awards, including the UNESCO award, Natya Sabha Award, BACHSAS Award and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award.