Photo : Courtesy
Legendary Bangladeshi actor Ariful Haque has been absent from the acting scene for an extended period as he has been residing in Canada for many years. Alongside his wife and children, he has settled there permanently.
Just a few days ago, Bangladeshi actress Munira Begum Memi visited Montreal, Canada, where she had the unique opportunity to reunite with her acting teacher, Ariful Haque. During her visit, Memi not only spent quality time with Ariful Haque but also had interactions with his wife, his son Sanjer Arif Piyal, and the rest of his family.
Reflecting on the encounter, Memi expressed her sentiments, "Meeting my acting teacher, Ariful Haque Bhai, in Canada after all these years, is a truly fortunate experience for me. Arif Bhai's son, Piyal, who is my close friend and resides in Hamilton, took time off to be with me. The moments spent with Arif Bhai and his family were wonderful. Arif Bhai has a keen interest in the well-being and activities of everyone back in the country. It's saddening for him to learn about those who are no longer with us."
Ariful Haque shared his perspective, "My last visit to the country was in 2016. Since then, my health hasn't permitted further travel. My body has grown frail. Nonetheless, we do our best to stay connected with news from the country through various means. I wonder about everyone's well-being and activities. Sadly, many from my generation are no longer with us, which is distressing. My interaction with Memi during her visit was enjoyable. Whether I will return to my birthplace, Hooghly, in India, or to Dhaka, where I spent numerous working years, remains uncertain. My hope is for everyone to be safe, well, and at peace."
The 92-year-old actor was last seen in AKM Feroze Babu's movie 'Prem Bishad' and the late Khalid Mahmud Mithu's 'Gohine'. He also shared the screen with Uttam Kumar in the film 'Uttarayan'. Notably, Ariful Haque holds the distinction of being the only actor in Bangladesh to have appeared alongside Uttam Kumar in the same film.
Ariful Haque's impressive filmography includes 'Lalon Fakir', 'Sareng Bou', 'Baro Barir Meye', 'Surja Konya', 'Sundari', 'Sakhi Tumi Kaar', 'Katha Dilam', 'Notun Bou', 'Ekhoni Somoy', 'Pita Mata Santan’, 'Tomake Chai', 'Desh Premik', 'Ghrina', and 'Swanper Nayok', among others.
In his youth, Ariful Haque completed a four-year diploma course in Rabindra Sangeet at Kolkata's Dakshini Sangeet School. He received training in classical music from various mentors and also in Nazrul Sangeet from his uncle, Manabendra Mukherjee. In 1964, he relocated to Dhaka with the aspiration of establishing himself as a music artiste.
Throughout his career, he directed theatrical productions like 'Zamidar Darpan' and 'Khata Bikkhata' for the Theatre Arambagh troupe in Dhaka. He also directed and dramatised Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 'Mahesh', a play that has been staged multiple times in India.
TDM/SD
