Published: 12:00 AM, 14 May 2026
Theater icon Ataur Rahman laid to rest
Renowned theater personality Ataur Rahman was laid to rest on Tuesday following a day-long tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, where admirers, colleagues and cultural activists gathered to honor his legacy.
Rahman's body was brought to the Central Shaheed Minar around 3:00pm, where people from all walks of life paid their last respects and viewed the coffin.
Since noon, playwrights, actors and cultural figures had been assembling at the venue to offer homage and catch a final glimpse of the veteran dramatist.
Several theater and cultural organizations placed floral wreaths on the coffin, including Nagarik Natya Sampradaya, Chhayanaut, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, Dhaka Theatre, Prachyanat, Konthoshilon and Palakar, along with drama departments from various universities.
Remembering Rahman, Ramendu Majumdar said, "Ataur Rahman always embraced art. He was a truly creative soul, and art was the center of his life."
Cultural activist Nasir Uddin Yousuff said Rahman's influence in theater would endure. "Many established themselves in the theater world under his guidance. Through his work, he will live among us forever," he said.
His daughter, Sharmistha, became emotional while recalling memories of her father. Actor Tariq Anam Khan and other cultural activists were also present at the memorial gathering.
Speakers at the event said unanimously that his death has created a void in Bangladesh's theater scene that would be difficult to fill.
Earlier in the day, the first namaz-e-janaza was held after Zuhr prayers at an open field adjacent to Ispahani Century Arcade in Moghbazar.
Following the state tribute, Rahman's body was taken to Banani Graveyard, where he was laid to rest.
Rahman died around 11:00pm on Monday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka. He had long been a leading figure in Bangladesh's theater movement and made significant contributions to Bengali culture through stage direction, acting and writing.
