Khalid laid to rest

The farewell gathering at Aparajeyo Bangla proves it all.

He will be remembered for his work of art, forever. People from all walks of life paid their last respects to sculptor Syed Abdullah Khalid at the Dhaka University campus today.

READ MORE: Abdullah Khalid no more

His body was taken to Charukala at 10:55am and at the foot of his monumental creation Aparajeyo Bangla at 12:15 noon for people to pay their last respects.

Sculptor Khalid breathed his last at the city's Birdem hospital around 11:45pm yesterday. He was 75.

His namaz-e-janaza was held at the central mosque of the Dhaka University after Zohr prayers. Later, he was laid to rest at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard this evening, reports UNB.

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“This sculpture was first initiated in July 1973 and Khalid vai personally look after the building works,” cultural activist M Hamid told The Daily Star.

“But, in 1975, after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the work was stopped for some time. However on December 16, 1979, the sculpture was inaugurated by injured freedom fighter Madhu,” Golum Kuddus, president of Sammilito Sangkritik Jote, told The Daily Star.

“After Khalid bhai had completed the design of Aparajeyo Bangla, he requested me to give a suitable title for his work. Later, I wrote an article titled “Aparajeyo Bangla” in the then daily Banglar Bani,” said noted journalist Saleh Chowdhury.

People from all walks of life pay last respect to Sculptor Syed Abdullah Khalid at his work Aparajeyo Bangla in Dhaka University campus on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Photo: Rashed Suman

Khalid left behind his wife, two sons and a daughter and a host of friends, relatives, admirers and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Ekushey Padak winner Khalid not only excelled in sculpture but also made a great impression with his vibrant paintings.