Farewell to a Folk legend: Mustafa Zaman Abbasi passes away
Celebrated musician, writer, and researcher Mustafa Zaman Abbasi passed away in Dhaka on 10 May at the age of 87. He died at 5:30 AM in a hospital in Dhaka's Banani after battling age-related complications, confirmed his daughter Sharmini Abbasi. The cultural icon had been hospitalised the day before with respiratory issues.
Abbasi's funeral prayer was held at Gulshan Azad Mosque after Zuhr, and he was laid to rest at Azimpur Cemetery beside his parents—folk music legend Abbasuddin Ahmed and Lutfunnessa Abbasi. His passing has deeply saddened Bangladesh's cultural community.
"He always encouraged us, the new generation of folk music artists," said singer Nurjahan Alim. "He had worked with my father, Abdul Alim. I last sang in front of him seven years ago. I pray he finds peace in the afterlife."
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Born on 8 December, 1936, Abbasi spent his early years in Kolkata. He earned BA and MA degrees from Dhaka University and pursued higher education in marketing at the Harvard Group. His professional career included serving as Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and holding other prominent roles.
For over five decades, Abbasi led the Folk Music Research Group, amassing a vast collection of thousands of folk songs. He performed Bhawaiya, Bhatiali, and Nazrul Geeti in more than 25 countries, introducing the richness of Bengali folk music to the world. He also served as President of the Unesco Bangladesh National Committee of Music and was entrusted with writing the English biographies of Kazi Nazrul Islam and Abbasuddin Ahmed.
Abbasi gained popularity through his television shows like 'Amar Thikana', 'Bhora Nodir Baake', and 'Apon Bhubon'. His influence extended beyond the arts into community service, notably through the Rotary Club.
He authored numerous acclaimed works, including 'Rumir Oloukik Bagan', 'Harinakkhi', 'The History of Folk Music', and 'Bhati Desher Bhatiyali'. For his extraordinary contributions, he received multiple honours, including the prestigious Ekushey Padak. Abbasi leaves behind a legacy that shaped Bangladesh's musical and cultural identity for generations.
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