Bangladesh's Puppet Master
Pioneering Bangladeshi artist Mustafa Monwar, the 'Puppet Man,' passes away at 90
Key Points
The Sultan Gold Medal from the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy was awarded to Mustafa Monwar in 2018.
During the 1971 Liberation War, Monwar used puppetry as a form of resistance and inspiration, with productions such as Agachcha, Rakshas, and Ekjon Sahosi Krishok that resonated with audiences in refugee camps across West Bengal.
He held senior leadership roles in Bangladesh’s cultural sector, including Deputy Director General of Bangladesh Television, Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Director General of the National Institute of Mass Communication, and Managing Director of FDC.
He temporarily recovered in New Delhi after treatment for prostate cancer and pneumonia before later being readmitted to hospital in Dhaka.
Mustafa Monwar, Bangladesh's legendary "Puppet Man," died at Square Hospital in Dhaka on June 29 at the age of 90, according to BSS News and Bonik Barta. He passed away at 8:30 am after a long fight with age-related illness, pneumonia, and multi-organ failure. He had been on life support in the ICU since mid-June.
Monwar was a painter, puppeteer, and cultural leader whose work spanned more than 70 years. He won the Ekushey Padak in 2004 — Bangladesh's second-highest civilian award — for his contributions to art and culture. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called him "an irreplaceable pillar of our cultural identity," BD Pratidin reported.
His Final Weeks: ICU, Life Support, and Decline
Monwar had traveled to New Delhi in early 2026 for treatment of prostate cancer and severe pneumonia. He returned to Dhaka on May 15 in stable but fragile condition. On June 10, he suffered respiratory distress at his home in Dhanmondi and was rushed to Square Hospital's ICU.
By June 20, doctors placed him on a ventilator after his oxygen levels dropped critically. A brief sign of recovery came on June 27, when doctors tried to wean him off the machine. That effort failed. On June 29, his cardiac function collapsed sharply at 8:00 am. He was pronounced dead 30 minutes later. A Square Hospital spokesperson confirmed the cause as multi-organ failure worsened by chronic pneumonia and advanced age.
Puppets as Weapons During the 1971 Liberation War
Monwar was born in Jessore on September 1, 1935. His father was renowned poet Ghulam Mustafa. Monwar trained at the Government School of Art in Kolkata, where he topped his class. He later transformed puppetry from a folk tradition into a tool for political change.
During Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War, Monwar took his puppet shows to refugee camps across West Bengal. Productions like Agachcha (The Weed), Rakshas (The Demon), and Ekjon Sahosi Krishok (A Brave Farmer) boosted morale and mocked the Pakistani military junta. His daughter Nini Monwar said: "He didn't just belong to us; he belonged to the children of Bangladesh. His puppets will keep speaking even if he is silent."
Iconic Puppet Character "Parul" Shaped a Generation
After independence, Monwar turned his focus to children's education. He created "Parul," a beloved puppet character on Bangladesh Television (BTV) who taught children about hygiene, ethics, and literacy. His "Moner Kotha" puppet show became a cornerstone of childhood in the 1980s and 90s. He also built the Educational Puppet Development Centre, designing and voicing more than 100 puppet characters over his career.
Monwar held some of the most powerful jobs in Bangladesh's cultural world. He served as Deputy Director General of BTV, Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Director General of the National Institute of Mass Communication, and Managing Director of the Film Development Corporation (FDC). In 2018, the Shilpakala Academy awarded him its Sultan Gold Medal for contributions to fine arts, Amader Barta reported.
Nation Mourns, Future of His Puppet Centre Uncertain
Bangladesh's Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon expressed deep shock at the loss, according to Amader Barta. The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy announced a week of mourning, with its Director General calling Monwar "the father of modern Bangladeshi puppetry." His body was moved to the Central Shaheed Minar for public viewing and state honors.
His death raises urgent questions about the Educational Puppet Development Centre he founded. Advocates are calling on the government to digitize his archives and fund the Centre's future. Art experts also predict a surge in the value of his watercolor paintings, which are already sought after in South Asian art markets. He is survived by his wife Mary Monwar, a son, and a daughter, BSS News confirmed.
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