[Watch] Lifetime Achievement Awards Trinity

Bobita (Film)

Throughout the decades, she had performed in three hundred movies. More so, she was a star during the glorious periods of Bengali cinema, working for eminent makers such as Satyajit Ray and Zahir Raihan. While she was put in the midst of culture from a very early age by her mother and sister, she never really planned on entering the industry in the first place as her original plan was to become a doctor.

However, that changed when her sister Shuchanda went to Dhaka to be an actress and married the legendary filmmaker Zahir Raihan. He insisted on Bobita to act in his films, and when she finally caved in, her film became a hit and the rest, as they say, is history. She also had the pristine honour of working for one of cinema's greats: Satyajit Ray. Considering the fact that her achievements are truly an astounding feat, she is one of those few actresses who can actually be called a superstar.

Afzal H ChoUdhury (Photography)

It seems his love for cameras is hardwired into his being as he first purchased a camera when he was only in class 7. And let's not forget that cameras were considered an extreme luxury at the time. Ever since then, he has contributed over 60 years of his life into the industry by making a place for himself behind the camera. When no one in the industry knew how to operate a proper camera and the basics of lighting, Mr. Choudhury was the one who learned the techniques from India and by watching Hollywood productions. He trained generations of cinematographers in the local industry and treats the current generation as his own bloodline.

Now in retirement life, he spends his days watching classic movies and being with his family. The honour of bestowing this token to this larger than life persona, without whom the industry would not reach such levels of popularity, humbles those in the industry and Mr. Choudhury hopes that others also receive some recognition for their work and years of dedication behind the camera.

Alauddin Ali (Music)

Born to a musical family, it's only natural that he should go down the family road. Ali's father, Jadob Ali, was a staff artiste at the radio. His uncle, Ustad Sadek Ali and cousins Dhir Ali Miah, Mansur Ali, Yunus Ali and Momotaz Uddin were all renowned music directors and composers of the Dacca (Dhaka) Radio Station during the 60s.

When Ali was only a student of class three, his uncle, Ustad Sadek Ali had given him a Chinese violin as a gift. At that age he would be on the tabla, accompanying his sister while she practised on the sitar; he even ventured on his father's esraj, composing tunes.

Ali's first hit, "O Amar Bangla Ma Tor", was composed from a poem written by a friend. By mixing major notes with flat notes, he brought out the melancholy in the lyrics and made it the gem that it is. His first cinema as a music director was Shondhikkhon in 1975, when he was only 23. From 1977/78, Alauddin Ali and Amzad Hossain teamed up for timeless movies and timeless tunes. Throughout his career, Alauddin Ali has directed music for more than 300 films and has managed to cement the positions of the two playback divas of Bangladeshi music – Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin.

Care about culture? Then make sure to be there. 
The gala event for Celebrating Life will take place at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center tomorrow at 5:00pm. The event will feature the award handover ceremonies for Lyrics, Photography and Film as well as the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Performances by the great Sabina Yasmin, Syed Abdul Hadi and the band sensation Chirkutt will follow.