Owned launches digital archive in memory of AK Ratul

Rock band Owned has announced the launch of a website dedicated to its late vocalist AK Ratul, who passed away on July 27 following a cardiac arrest.

Ratul's sudden demise came as a shock to the music industry. Beyond his role as a singer, he was widely admired as a producer, having worked on numerous hit albums and singles for fellow bands in the rock community.

The band shared the news on their social media platforms yesterday, writing: "We, the family, friends and well-wishers of Ratul, came together to build a website in honour of Ratul. A space filled with everything he loved, created and cherished. A place which holds onto his essence, to keep his precious spirit alive forever. It's like a museum of his life, a tribute to the inspiration he was and will always be, for generations to come. This is our way of honouring his priceless existence, the immeasurable impact he made and the countless lives he touched."

The post further noted: "It's been a journey gathering everything Ratul created and loved. While we've managed to collect most of it, we know there are pieces still missing. If you have anything to add, we would be deeply grateful if you could share it with us."

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Ratul was the son of the late legendary Bangladeshi actor Abul Khayer Jashim Uddin, popularly known as Jashim. His brothers, AK Rahul and AK Samee, are also prominent figures in the country's rock music scene.