Critically-ill artist Mustafa Monwar put on life support

The Ekhushey Padak-winning artist celebrated his 89th birthday on Sept 1

Celebrated artist Mustafa Monwar has been put on life support at a private hospital in Dhaka.

His wife Merry Monwar said the artist's condition is critical and sought prayers for his recovery.

She told bdnews24.com that Monwar was recently admitted to hospital after his health deteriorated on Sept 4.

The 89-year-old has been suffering from various age-related ailments over the past several years.

“He was put on life support after his condition deteriorated further on Saturday evening,” she said.

The versatile artist is a painter, play director and art researcher. He brought a new dimension to puppetry in Bangladesh.

He is the son of poet Golam Mostofa.

The 89th birthday of the artist, who was awarded the Ekhushey Padak in 2004 for his contribution to arts, was on Sept 1.

The artist has won many awards in his illustrious career such as the All India Fine Arts Competition Award in 1957, Tenashinas Padak for TV drama in 1990, Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award for special contribution to arts in 1992, and Anando Bichitra Award in 2004.

Monwar started his career as a lecturer at the East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts. Later, he joined as the director general of the East Pakistan branch of PTV (now Bangladesh Television).

He also served as the director general of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the National Institute of Mass-communication, or NIMCO, and as the managing director of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation, or BFDC, and the chairman of Bangladesh Shishu Academy.

Monwar tied the knot with Merry in 1965. The couple has a daughter, Nandini Monwar, and a son, Sadat Monwar.