Jamaluddin Hossain — a shining star of Bangladesh’s theatre scene, a pioneering actor, director, and organiser of stage and television — passed away on 11 October 2024 at Rockview Hospital in Calgary, Canada. He was born on 10 October 1943. On his birth anniversary, Abhinay Gurukul fondly remembers this remarkable theatre artist, who devoted his entire life to the development of drama and the performing arts.
Educated at Chittagong College and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), his heart, however, was always drawn towards the world of art and performance. Among his contemporaries was the celebrated actor Abul Hayat. Although trained as an engineer, it was the stage’s light and shadow that truly illuminated his path.
In 1975, he joined Nagorik Natya Sampradaya, one of the pioneering organisations of Bangladesh’s modern theatre movement. Over the next two decades, he became one of the most prominent figures in the country’s theatrical arena. In 1997, he founded his own troupe, Nagorik Nattyangan Ensemble, serving as its General Secretary throughout his life. He was also a Presidium Member of the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation and the General Secretary of the Radio and Television Artists’ Association.
Among the many stage productions he directed or acted in, notable works include Khachar Bhetor Achin Pakhi, Raja Rani, Chand Boniker Pala, Ami Noi, Bibisahib, and Jugalbandi. These plays not only captivated audiences but also left a profound impact on the evolution of Bangladeshi theatre.
In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the performing arts, he was honoured with the Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh in 2013 — a national tribute to his lifelong artistic dedication.
In his personal life, he married fellow actor and co-artist Rowshan Ara Hossain in 1975. Their only son, Tafsin Hossain Topu, is now an Associate Professor of Economics at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.
Jamaluddin Hossain was that rare artist who created a perfect balance between acting, direction, organisation, and dramatic philosophy. He firmly believed that theatre was not merely a form of entertainment, but a powerful medium for social change. Every performance, every production he worked on, reflected this conviction and his deep sense of responsibility as an artist.
On his birth anniversary, Abhinay Gurukul pays heartfelt homage to this legendary theatre personality. His work, his ideals, and his artistic vision will continue to inspire generations of actors and theatre practitioners for years to come.