Asadul Haque no more

Distinguished researcher Asadul Haque breathed his last on July 8 around 10:00am at his own residence in Siddheswari.

He was 99.

He left behind his two children, other family members, friends and well-wishers.

Asadul had an illustrious career. He joined the Pakistan Foreign Service and then moved to Bangladesh Foreign Service where he worked for over three decades, with posting in Kolkata, Ankara, Cairo and other places.

During his stint at Kolkata, he came into close association with Kazi Nazrul Islam and his family. After taking early retirement from government service he penned over 20 books on the national poet and was one of the senior-most researchers apart from being a pioneer in the expansion of Nazrul Sangeet.

He had also taken a notable role in Bangladesh's freedom movement when he sang songs alongside eminent artists like Firoza Begum and Sabina Yasmin.

In recognition of his research work, he was felicitated and awarded by various government and private institutions like Nazrul Academy, Nazrul Institute (Gold Medal), Nazrul University, Purulia Sangeet Academy, Parishad Nazrul Hindol Sangeet Academy and Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad. He was also the chairperson of the International Nazrul Research Centre.

His namaz-e-janaza was held at the Ramna Thana Jame Masjid. He was laid to rest at the Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard in Mirpur next to his wife.