Tributes pour in for AK Ratul as music community mourns his untimely demise

Musician AK Ratul, vocalist, bassist and sound engineer of the popular rock band 'Owned', was laid to rest beside his father, legendary Bangladeshi actor Jashim, at Banani Graveyard on Monday morning.

Ratul passed away on Sunday afternoon after suffering a cardiac arrest, leaving behind a profound void in the country's music industry.

He was the middle son of late film star Jashim, among three brothers—all of whom are active in the local band music scene. His elder brother AK Samee is the drummer of Owned, while the youngest, AK Rahul, has been affiliated with the bands Trainwreck and Poraho and a prominent music content creator.

Sharing his grief on Facebook, AK Samee wrote, "I just buried my baby brother..." while Rahul posted a childhood photo with Ratul and their father, writing in Bangla, "My hand on my brother's chest."

Ratul's untimely demise sparked an outpouring of tributes across Bangladesh's music fraternity. Prominent bands and artists expressed their condolences and memories of Ratul, highlighting his immense talent, kindness, and influence behind the scenes.

Veteran band Warfaze posted, "We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Ratul's passing. The Warfaze family expresses heartfelt condolences to his family and prays for his departed soul. The music industry has lost a true gem."

Popular rock band Artcell shared: "We were devastated to hear the news. Ratul was a gifted vocalist, bassist, composer, producer, and sound engineer. His departure is an irreparable loss to our music industry. The time we spent together at his studio and during concerts will forever remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, Ratul, in music and melody."

Ratul also worked with multiple other bands as a sound engineer, notably contributing to Aurthohin's "Phoenix er Diary 1."

Mourning his death, Aurthohin wrote, "Our sound engineer AK Ratul left us today due to cardiac failure. Please keep him in your prayers. You made us all cry, bro. Wherever you are, be well. Love and respect."

Another band Ratul worked closely with, Level Five, penned an emotional tribute: "He was not only a top-class producer but a true friend and humble soul. He believed in us when no one did. Ratul, your smile, your heart, and the memories will live with us forever. Only God knows how much we'll miss you."

Band Shunno expressed disbelief, saying: "Ratul produced some of our songs with unmatched heart and talent. This loss feels surreal. You'll be deeply missed."

Popular rock band Nemesis shared, "We've lost a gem, an immensely talented human, a brother and a friend. You were one of the kindest among us. You'll live forever in our hearts, Ratul. Rest in peace."

Many other renowned bands including Black, Shironamhin, Chirkutt, Ashes, Indalo, Arbovirus, Shonar Bangla Circus, Arekta Rock Band, Dads In The Park, Dreek, Aftermath, Aseis, and EIDA also posted tribute messages honoring Ratul's contribution to Bangladesh's independent and mainstream music scenes.

Individual tributes also poured in from celebrated musicians such as Bappa Mazumder, Raef Al Hasan Rafa, Md Zohad Reza Choudhury, Sufi Maverick (Ashrafuzzaman Yousufi), Zunayed Evan, Oni Hasan, Elita Karim, Alif Alauddin, and Sharmin Sultana Sumi, among others.

AK Ratul's death is being widely mourned not only for the loss of a talented artist but for the departure of a beloved figure in the country's modern music movement.