Nation grieves Qayyum's death

Eminent citizens and various organisations yesterday expressed deep shock at the death of celebrated artist Qayyum Chowdhury.

In a statement, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and its secretary Fazle Hossain Badsha said the people would recall Qayyum Chowdhury forever for his contribution to the development of fine arts as well as taking it to a high level.

"He had depicted the natural beauty of Bangladesh through his creative paintings. His paintings in the cover of books had also taken the industry to a new height."

The loss due his death is irrecoverable, said the statement.

Artist Qayyum Chowdhury had spread the spirits of the language movement and the liberation war till the last day of his life that had made next generations enlightened, said Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee in another statement.

Qayyum, also an adviser of the Nirmul Committee, had played a great role to form the committee in 1992 under the leadership of Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam, it said.

Pointing out his legendary role in paint industry, Sector Commanders Forum-Liberation War-'71 said the artist had participated in the agitations demanding punishment of war criminals.

Ain o Salish Kendra said Qayyum Chowdhury, who was also the convenor of the Charu Karu Shilpi Songram Parishad during the liberation war, would remain as an idol for his works for the deprived people and the society.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Bnagladesh Jubo Moitree and Bangladesh Rukhe Darao  also expressed deep condolence at the death of Qayyum.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and Vice Chancellor of Maulana Bhashani Science and Technology University Prof Dr Allauddin also condoled the death of the renowned artist.