At sixty, Tauquir Ahmed stands at a point where a life in the arts begins to take on its full shape. Today (April 19), at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, colleagues gathered to take stock of a career that has moved steadily across theatre, television, and film.
Organised by the Actors’ Equity Bangladesh, the seminar, running from 10:00am to 9:00pm under the title “Sixty Years of Tauquir Ahmed”, has brought together artistes to reflect on his life and work. Notably, the artiste was born on March 5, 1966. Among those present are Ekushey Padak-winning artistes including Abul Hayat, Mamunur Rashid, and Afzal Hossain, alongside Mahfuz Ahmed, Azizul Hakim, and Deepa Khandakar, among others.
The evening opened on a musical note with a performance by Pintu Ghosh. Soon after, a ceremonial candle-lighting, joined by senior and contemporary artistes including Tauquir Ahmed himself, formally inaugurated the programme, setting the tone for an evening of remembrance and reflection.
Speakers revisited personal memories and professional milestones, sketching a portrait of an artiste whose journey has traversed theatre, television, and cinema with equal conviction. Mahfuz Ahmed recalled their early years as students; he at the University of Dhaka, Tauquir at BUET, and a simple yet enduring memory of a ride to the Ekushey Book Fair on Tauquir’s red motorcycle. “He was someone we admired, even envied,” he said, before adding, “Today, I can say, he is our teacher. Tauquir Ahmed is the most progressive man of our generation.”
Echoing the sentiment, Gazi Rakayet spoke of knowing Tauquir for nearly four decades, praising both the man and his craft. Referring to films like “Haldaa” and “Oggatonama”, he described them as remarkable works, adding that while debates often centre on whether art or the artiste is greater, “in this case, the artiste stands tall.” Drawing a parallel with Rabindranath Tagore, who created some of his finest work in later years, he expressed confidence that Tauqir’s most compelling contributions may still lie ahead.
For Abul Hayat, the reflection was more personal. “I tried to think of his flaws today, I could not find any,” he remarked, calling Tauquir a committed and visionary creative whose habit of reading and constant learning sets him apart. Recalling Tauquir’s performance in the television serial “Hasuli Baker Upokotha”, he described it as one of the finest of his career.
Afzal Hossain highlighted Tauquir’s disciplined life and intellectual grounding, noting his significant contributions across stage, television, and film. “It is his work that will keep him alive,” he said, urging him to continue pushing boundaries. Meanwhile, Mamunur Rashid framed the milestone differently: “At sixty, life is only beginning. There is still much for him to give.” He also underscored Tauqir’s enduring commitment to theatre, both at home and abroad.
Reflecting on decades of collaboration, Azad Abul Kalam spoke of Tauquir’s multifaceted career -- spanning acting, writing, and directing; while emphasising his unwavering love for the stage.
In his own remarks, Tauquir Ahmed remained measured and grounded. Thanking those in attendance, he described age as “just a number,” reiterating that the true measure lies in the work itself. “I have tried to stay committed to my craft, whether in theatre or cinema, always keeping quality at the centre,” he said. Looking ahead, he revealed plans to direct new films and bring “Oggatonama” to the stage, seeking the continued support of audiences.
What emerged from the evening was not merely a celebration of longevity, but a recognition of sustained relevance -- the weight of six decades carried in a body of work the years have steadily built, one that speaks for itself, even as the veteran artiste moves forward in his work.
