The entertainment arena in Bangladesh lost several notable artistes throughout the year, creating a never-to-be-filled void. As we approach the New Year, The Daily Star takes a moment to mourn the stars we lost in 2020.

Ishrat Nishat (11 January 1964 - 20 January 2020)

Actor-director Ishrat Nishat was dedicated towards her craft for many years. From Bailey Road Theatre Street to Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, she gave us many significant performances across different venues in the country. She was widely known for her rebellious voice. She was associated with the popular theatre troupe, Desh Natok.

Apart from acting, she also directed many stage plays. The artiste was also a reciter, who arranged many poetry events. Ishrat Nishat passed away on January 20 at the age of 56.

Asem Ansari (3 June 1948 - 6 April 2020)

Renowned artist Asem Ansari passed away due to cardiac arrest on April 6, at the age of 72. Asem Ansari was born on June 3, 1948, to a well-reputed family in Dhaka. He is the younger brother of BTV's renowned producer, Zia Ansari.

He completed his BFA from the Department of Drawing and Painting, Govt College of Arts and Crafts in 1972. He also had a penchant for filmmaking and photography. In addition to his regular practice of painting, he was a brilliant illustrator.

Ustad Azad Rahman (1 January 1944- 16 May 2020)

Renowned singer, composer and music director Ustad Azad Rahman made significant contributions to the music industry in Bangladesh. Apart from being a virtuoso singer, Azad was a pianist. He could blend both the Eastern and the Western music on the piano.

Azad won the National Film Award as a singer once and as a music director twice. Bangla Academy published two volumes of his work "Bangla Khayal" in 1999. Azad Rahman passed away on May 16 at the age of 76.

Andrew Kishore (4 November 1955- 6 July 2020)

One of the most prolific playback singers of the country, Andrew Kishore was known for his melodious and sonorous voice. The eight-time National Award winning singer mesmerised music lovers since the 1980s, and was once the highest-paid playback singer in the country.

His famous songs include "Jiboner Golpo Achhe Baki Olpo", "Haire Manush Rongin Phanush", "Amar Shara Deho Kheyo Go Mati", "Amar Buker Moddhe Khane" and "Amar Babar Mukhe Prothom Jedin Shunechhilam Gaan", among many others. Andrew Kishore breathed his last on July 6 at the age of 64.

Shopon Siddiqui (1960 - 10 July 2020)

Film and television actor Shopon Siddiqui passed away on July 10. He had tested positive for Covid-19. Born in 1960 in Nakhalpara, he had been working as an actor in the Bangladeshi film and television industries for the last 30 years.

 He was also a member of the executive committee at Television and Digital Programme Producers Association Bangladesh. He was also a member of Directors' Guild and Actors' Equity Bangladesh. He was the editor of Shadhinota Sanskriti Parishad Bangladesh. Siddiqui also produced a few serials for television.

Aftab Khan Tulu (died 28 July)

Acclaimed film director and Bangladesh Film Directors' Association member Aftab Khan Tulu passed away on July 28, at the age of 66, due to complications from Covid-19. His notable films include "Dayi Ke", "Shobai Toh Shukhi Hote Chay" "Bhalobasha Bhalobasha", "Shotiputro Abdullah" and "Ful Ar Kanta", among others.

Mohammad Barkatullah (died 3 August 2020)

Noted producer Mohammad Barkatullah passed away on August 3, at the age of 76. He had tested positive for Covid-19, and was in ventilation when he unfortunately suffered from a stroke.

Known for masterpieces like "Kothao Keu Nei", "Shokal Shondha", "Dhakay Thaki" and "Nokkhotrer Raat," Mohammad Barkatullah also served as the General Manager of Bangladesh Television for a while, before his retirement.

Abdus Sattar (26 May 1958 - 5 August 2020)

A renowned name in the film industry of Bangladesh, Abdus Sattar started his film career in the 70s. The Ibne Mizan directorial, "Amir Saodagar Bhelua Shundori" was his first film. "Rongin Rupbaan", was a superhit, starring Abdus Sattar.

He played lead roles opposite Shabana, Anju Ghosh, Rozina and Olivia among others. He passed away at the age of 72 on August 4.

Alauddin Ali (24 December 1952- 9 August 2020)

The legendary music director, Alauddin Ali, was one of the finest composers not only of Bangladesh but also the entire sub-continent. He composed around 5,000 songs and made phenomenal contributions to the Bangladeshi film industry.

With over 300 films to his credit, he was unparalleled when it came to melody and musical genius. Having made his debut as a composer in the film "Shondhikkhon" in 1975, Alauddin Ali won the National Award 8 times, including Best Music Director for the films "Golapi Ekhon Train E", (1978), "Sundori" (1979), "Koshai" (1980), "Jogajog" (1988) and "Lakhe Ekta" (1990).He passed away on August 9 at the age of 68.

Murtaja Baseer (17 August 1932 - 15 August 2020)

Eminent artist and painter Murtaja Baseer was known for his abstract realism- themed works. He was also a poet, author, researcher, numismatist, and filmmaker. As an acclaimed painter, Baseer's working style was said to have evolved from realism and semi-realism in his early days to abstract realism.

Some of his famous paintings include Somnambular Ballad, The Gypsy, Man with Accordian, Girl with Flower, Epitaph for the Martyrs, No More War, Statue of Liberty, the Wall series, and the Jyoti series. The noted artist passed away on August 15 at the age of 88.

Sayeeda Khanam (29 December 1937 - 18 August 2020)

Bangladesh's first professional female photographer, Sayeeda Khanam, passed away on August 18, 2020, due to old age-related complications, at the age of 82. Born in Pabna on December 29, 1937, Sayeeda Khanam's love for photography was instilled in her from the age of 12.

As a Master's graduate of Bangla Literature and Library Science from University of Dhaka, Sayeeda Khanam, a lifetime member of Bangladesh Mahila Samity and Bangla Academy, also wrote a number of books, articles and literary pieces. She was a librarian in the seminar library of the Bengali Literature Department of DU from 1974 to 1986. The Ekushey-Padak winning photographer had the rare opportunity of taking pictures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, National poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Queen Elizabeth II, Mother Teresa, Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, Michael Collins and Satyajit Ray, among many other famous personalities.

Mrinal Haque (9 September 1958 - 22 August 2020)

Renowned sculptor Mrinal Haque passed away on August 22, at the age of 61. Born in Rajshahi on September 9, 1958, Mrinal Haque was best known for making murals on the streets of Dhaka. He immigrated to USA in 1995, and began his sculpting career there. He returned to the country in 2002, and settled here permanently.

The sculptor built the Balaka sculpture in Motijheel on his own initiative. The Golden Jubilee Tower, built on the golden jubilee of Rajshahi University in 2003, is one of his best works of art. Besides, he has done a plethora of sculptures all over the country, including Ratnadwip in front of the Prime Minister's office in Dhaka, Rajsik in front of Hotel Sheraton, Janani O Gorbito Bornomala at Paribagh, Kotwal at Eskaton and Mayur at Satrasta.

KS Firoz (7 July 1946 - 9 September 2020)

Noted actor KS Firoz had worked dominantly in theatre, radio, television and cinema throughout his career. Firoz entered the television industry in 1968 with the tele-fiction "Tobuo Deep Jole". In his long career, he has worked in over 500 tele-fictions and serials. He founded Theatre Amambagh, who are known for their productions "Sathghater Kanakori" and "King Lear". His first film was "Laawarish".

He had since played significant roles in many other movies including "Bashi", "Brihonnola", and "Chandragrahan", among others. The actor passed away on September 9 at the age of 74.

Sadek Bachchu (1 November 1955 - 14 September 2020)

Renowned actor Sadek Bachchu was mostly known for his negative roles in films and throughout his career, he acted in more than 500 movies. Sadek Bachchu also worked in theatre, radio and television. Founder and President of Matijheel Theatre, Sadek Bachchu started his career on the stage.

He came into the limelight with the critically acclaimed film, "Chadni". "Jibon Nodir Tire", "Koti Takar Kabin", "Pita Matar Amanot", "Shujon Shokhi", "Mayer Chokh", and "Mon Boshe Na Porar Table E", among others are some of his notable films. The actor passed away on September 14 at the age of 65.

Mohiuddin Bahar (26 December 1947- 14 September 2020)

Mohiuddin Bahar, renowned for his role in popular magazine programme "Ittyadi", began his acting career with the theatre group Nagarik in 1986. In his television career, he worked with many notable creators, including Humayun Ahmed, Hanif Sanket, Gias Uddin Selim, and several others.

He earned widespread popularity through "Ittyadi", in which he performed comedy skits in Noakhali's local parlance for about 27 years, mocking various inconsistencies in the society. The actor passed away on September 14 at the age of 73.

Monsur Ul Karim (1950 - 5 October 2020)

Ekushey Padak-winning artist Monsur Ul Karim passed away on October 5, at the age of 70. Monsur was born in Rajbari district in 1950. He completed his graduation from Dhaka Art Institute in 1972 and post graduation in Chittagong University in 1974.

He later taught for 40 years in the Faculty of Fine Art in Chittagong University. He made outstanding contributions to the country's painting industry since the early seventies.

Rashid Haider (15 July 1941- 13 October 2020)

Renowned writer Rashid Haider was formerly the director of Bangla Academy and executive director of Nazrul Institute. He received the Bangla Academy Award in 1984, and the coveted Ekushey Padak in 2014 for his contributions with the pen, among several accolades.

Among his many acclaimed works is "Sriti 71", "Shahid Buddhijibi Koshagrontho" and "Asamabriksha". He was the author to more than 70 books in his illustrious career. As a member of Nagorik Natya Sampradaya, Haider wrote the famous story, "Toilo Shonkot", and acted in Nagorik's first play, "Baki Itihash".

Sharif Uddin Khan Dipu (died 23 October)

Noted Bangladeshi producer and director Sharif Uddin Khan Dipu passed away on October 23, at the age of 65. He had tested positive for Covid-19. Hailing from Basail in Tangail, Sharif Uddin Khan Dipu has produced and directed over 30 films in his career.

Sharif Uddin Khan Dipu was the president of Bangladesh Film Club, the general secretary of Film Producer Distributor Association and a member of Directors' Guild. His notable works include "Desh Dorodi", "Ami Gunda Ami Mastaan", "Raja No 1", and "Action Jasmine", among others.

Aly Zaker (6 November 1944 – 27 November 2020)

Aly Zaker was  a stalwart of Bangladeshi theatre and TV, with a career spanning many decades. An actor, a businessman, a director and a writer, he was also the owner of Asiatic Marketing Communications Limited. He was a founding member of the theatre group, Nagorik, and his contributions as an actor made an undeniable mark on the theatre arena.

Starting from 2018, Zaker played Galileo Galilei in a Bangla adaptation of the play, "The Life of Galileo". He was lauded for his performance. The noted actor passed away on November 27 at the age of 76.

Mannan Hira (1956 - December 23 2020)

Renowned playwright Mannan Hira was a senior member of Aranyak Natya Dal, and contributed immensely towards its success. He was also the President of Potho Natok Parishad. Among the 15 plays he had written, "Moyur Shinghashon" and "Laal Jomin" were especially popular.

He directed the government granted children's film, "Ekattorer Khudiram". The artiste sporadically appeared as an actor in television as well. Mannan Hira had received the prestigious Bangla Academy Award in 2006, for his immense contributions to the field of theatre. He passed away on December 23, at the age of 64.

Abdul Kader (01 April 1951- 26 December 2020)

Renowned actor Abdul Kader gained immense popularity in the 90s through several popular television shows. He made regular appearances on the popular family-oriented show, "Ittyadi", for quite some time. Known for playing Bodi in Humayun Ahmed's "Kothao Keu Nei", his portrayals of humorous characters on television made him a favourite amongst people from all walks of life, over the years.

 "Matir Kole", "Nokkhotrer Raat", "Shobuj Sathi", "Agun Laga Shondhya" "Tin Tekka", "Nitu Tomake Bhalobashi", "Kushum Kushum Bhalobasha", "Shundorpur Kotodur", and "Jol Pore Pata Nore", among others are some of his most notable television projects. He passed away on December 26, at the age of 69.