DHAKA: Tributes and condolences were poured in from all quarters for internationally acclaimed painter and printmaker Kalidas Karmakar on Monday (Oct 21) noon.

His body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka at noon where thousands of people including, members of different social and cultural groups paid last tributes to him.

On the Shaheed Minar premises, the tributes last paid tribute to Kalidas Karmakar by the Sammilito Sanskritik Jote, Bengal Foundation, Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Bangladesh Ministry of Culture, Gallery Cosmos, Dhaka Gallery, BISIC Design Center, Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum and different National-Cultural-Social organizations.

Hamiduzzaman Khan, Hashem Khan, Monirul Islam, Shahid Qazi, Rokeya Sultana, Farida Zaman, former DUCSU VP Akhtaruzzaman, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof. Dr Akhtaruzzaman and pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Muhammad Samad, dramatist Liaquat Ali Laki, columnist Mofidul Haque paid tributes to him personally.

The last tributes paying prog was ended by observing a minute of silence. Then, the body of Kalidas Karmakar has been taken to Baredeswari Kali Temple in Sabujbag from the Shaheed Minar. He will be cremated there.

Earlier in the morning, the body of Kalidas Karmakar was brought to the Dhakeshwari Temple from the mortuary of BIRDEM Hospital in the capital at 9am. From there, his body was brought to the Fine Arts premises. Artists and artisans paid their last tributes to the internationally acclaimed artist.

Kalidas Karmakar who enriched the country’s art scene through his innovative mixed media works, performances and prints, passed away on Friday (Oct 18). He was 75.

He fell down in the bathroom after suffering a stroke at around 1:10pm at his residence in the capital’s Eskaton, said Prasanta Karmaker, the artist’s brother.

He was rushed to Labaid Specialised Hospital where the doctor declared him dead. 

BDST: 1400 HRS, OCT 21, 2019
RS