Dance pioneer Zeenat Barkatullah no more

Ekushey Padak winning dancer and actor Zeenat Barkatullah passed away at her Dhanmondi residence at 4:45pm yesterday. She had been suffering from old-age complications.

She was 72.

The news was confirmed to The Daily Star by Ahsan Habib Nasim, president of Actor's Equity, Bangladesh.

Zeenat is survived by her two daughters, actor Bijori Barkatullah and Nusrat Barkatullah Kajori.

Earlier in March, the artiste was admitted to a private hospital in Dhaka due to a lung infection, along with an internal bleeding in her brain. She was in the ICU for five days.

In her illustrious career, Zeenat Barkatullah served as the director of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (production department) while overseeing its dance and music departments.

She was recognised for her performances for a wide range of dance styles, including Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, and folk dance.

In 2022, Zeenat was honoured with the second highest civilian award -- Ekushey Padak -- for contributions to the field of dance.

She achieved many other accolades, including Sher-e-Bangla Memorial Award (1985), Natya Shabha Award (1987), Cadet Core Award (1989), UNESCO Award (1996), Tarokalok Award (1997), Millennium Award (2000), Amritabazar Award (2001), and the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award (2008).

She was featured in around 80 tele-fictions during her career, which began with the project "Maria Amar Maria" in 1980. She was later seen in "Ghore Baire", "Osthayee Nibash", "Boro Bari", and "Kotha Bola Moyna", among others.

Born on October 3, 1951, Zeenat Barkatullah was a student of Gazi Alimuddin Mannan while she was only four years old. She earned her master's in Sociology from Dhaka University and joined the Performing Arts Academy.

She also completed a certificate course from Bulbul Lalitakala Academy and another in ballet and dance choreography from North Korea.

Zeenat's namaz-e-janaza will be held today after Zuhr prayers at Baytul Aman Jame Masjid in Dhanmondi 7. After that, the artiste will be laid to rest at the Kalshi cemetery.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid expressed deep condolences on the passing of the stalwart and extended his heartfelt sympathy to the grieving family in a condolence message.

In the message, the minister emphasised the significant role Zeenat played in the cultural movement for an independent Bangladesh. He also stated she would remain a vital figure in the development of dance discourse through her work.