Dr Sanjida Khatun, the president of Chhayanaut and a pioneer of cultural activism in Bangladesh, passed away at Square Hospital in Dhaka at 3:10 pm on Tuesday. She was 92. The Ekushey Padak winning artiste had been battling diabetes, pneumonia, and kidney complications for some time and had been under hospital care for the past week. Her daughter-in-law, Laisa Ahmad Lisa, who also serves as Chhayanaut's General Secretary, confirmed the news to The Daily Star.

As per Chhayanaut's announcement, a public tribute will be held at Chhayanaut Cultural Centre in Dhanmondi today at 12:30 pm, where admirers and well-wishers will pay their final respects to the eminent cultural figure who shaped Bangladesh's cultural consciousness.

Born on 4 April 1933, Dr Sanjida Khatun was raised in a household of intellect and creativity. Her father, National Professor Kazi Motahar Hossain, was a renowned academic, while her mother, Sajeda Khatun, was a homemaker. Growing up in an environment steeped in literature, music, and progressive thought, she developed a deep connection with Bengali culture from a young age.

She completed her undergraduate studies in Bengali Language and Literature from the University of Dhaka in 1954 before pursuing a master's degree at Visva-Bharati University in India. In 1978, she earned a PhD from the same institution, advancing her status as a scholar in Bengali arts and culture.

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‘Blessed to have led a simple life’

While academic circles were only one aspect of her vast contributions, music was her soul's calling. A disciple of legendary musicians such as Sohrab Hossain, Shailajaranjan Majumdar, Abdul Ahad, Kanika Bandyopadhyay, and Nilima Sen, she mastered Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet, and Bengali folk music. Her passion led her to co-found Chhayanaut in the early 1960s, an institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Bengali music and cultural traditions.

During Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, she played a crucial role in forming Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha, using music as a tool of resistance against oppression. Throughout her life, she remained steadfast in her belief that culture was not merely an aesthetic pursuit but a medium for social change.

Her involvement in the Bratachari Movement, a cultural and social reform initiative led by artist Quamrul Hassan, further highlighted her dedication to progressive ideals. She also stood at the forefront of the Language Movement in 1952, standing against oppression and advocating for the right to Bengali language and identity.

Honoured with numerous accolades, she received the Ekushey Padak, one of Bangladesh's highest civilian awards, for her outstanding contributions to music and culture. In 2021, her influence crossed borders as she was awarded India's Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian honour.

Yet, beyond the accolades and recognition, Dr Sanjida Khatun was, at her core, a devoted teacher and mentor. She believed in nurturing young talent and ensuring that future generations carried forward the rich legacy of Bengali music and culture. "The joy of this movement exceeded all the demands of life," she once said about her work at Chhayanaut. "I am blessed and content with this simple life."

Her presence at Chhayanaut's Pahela Baishakh celebrations and countless cultural programmes over the decades became a symbol of resilience and inspiration. Even in the most turbulent times of Bangladesh's history, she ensured that Chhayanaut remained a sanctuary for artistic expression.

As the nation bids farewell to this luminary, her voice may have fallen silent, but her influence continues to resonate. Her work, her teachings, and her unwavering belief in the power of culture will live on in the hearts of those she inspired.

Tomorrow, as admirers gather to honour her memory, they will not only be saying goodbye to a beloved cultural icon but also celebrating a life that enriched the very soul of a nation.

"Ninety years of my life have passed, and today, I am thinking about what I wanted to achieve and how it actually went, and I am blessed and content with this simple life," she shared across a houseful auditorium of Chhayanaut on her 90th birthday in 2022. Two years later, the nation mourns her passing, but her legacy remains untouched.