Zeenat Barkatullah (died 20 September 2023) was a Bangladeshi dancer and television actress. She received

Bachsas Awards The Bachsas Awards were introduced in 1972 to encourage the fledgling film industry of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Cholochitra Sangbadik Samity (Bangladesh Cine-Journalists' Association) gave its most prestigious awards to outstanding performers in ...

, Bangladesh Cultural Society Lifetime Achievement Award and Natyashabha Award for her contributions to the field of dance.

Early life and education

Mrs Barkatullah was born in Munshiganj (former

Bikrampur Bikrampur (lit. City of Courage) was a historic region and a sub-division of Dhaka within the Bengal Presidency during the period of British India. Located along the banks of the Padma River (a major distributary of the Ganges), it was a sign ...

) district who was a student of

Gazi Alimuddin Mannan About Gazi Alimuddin Mannan ''Gazi Alimuddin Mannan'' was born on June 8, 1930 in Satkola village of Cumilla. His contribution to the dance world of Bangladesh is outstanding. As a result of his keen interest in dance, he left the country and moved ...

at the age of 4. She earned her master's degree in sociology from the

University of Dhaka The University of Dhaka (), also known as Dhaka University (DU), is a public university, public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Established in 1921, it is the oldest active university in the country. The University of Dhaka w ...

and joined the Performing Arts Academy. She completed a six-year certificate course from

Bulbul Lalitakala Academy Bulbul Lalitakala Academy (now known as Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts or BAFA) is an institution of fine arts established in Dhaka on 17 May 1955, founded by Begum Afroza Bulbul, wife of Bulbul Chowdhury Bulbul Chowdhury (1 January 1919 – 17 Ma ...

and later in ballet and dance choreography under experts from North Korea. Her father was the deputy magistrate of

Jamalpur District Jamalpur District () is a district in Bangladesh, and part of Mymensingh Division. It was established in 1978 during the rule of Ziaur Rahman. It has its headquarters in Jamalpur. Etymology The district is named for its headquarters, Jamalpur ...

Career

Barkatullah worked as one of the directors of

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (; ) or simply known as Shilpakala Academy is the principal state-sponsored national cultural centre of Bangladesh. It is a academy of fine and performing arts. History It is the national academy of fine and pe ...

beginning in 2002. She acted in around 80 television drama plays. Her acting career began with the drama ''Maria Amar Maria'' in 1980. She later acted in ''Ghore Baire'', ''Osthai Nibas'', ''Boro Bari'', and ''Kotha Bola Moyna'', among others. Barkatullah was one of the advisors of Bangladesh Nrityo Shilpi Songstha, Nrityanchal and Bangabandhu Shishu Kishor Mela. On 22 January 2022, Barkatullah was awarded the

Ekushey Padak Ekushey Padak () is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of martyrs of the Bengali language movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contributions in a number of fields, including culture, education, and e ...

, the second most important award for civilians in Bangladesh.

Personal life and death

Barkatullah had two daughters, including actress

Bijori Barkatullah Bijori Barkatullah is a Bangladeshi television actress and dancer. Early life Barkatullah graduated from the Department of History at the University of Dhaka. Career Barkatullah acted her first drama, ''Shukher Chharpotro'', directed by her fat ...

and Kajori Barkatullah. Zeenat Barkatullah died on 20 September 2023.

Awards

* Sher-e-Bangla Memorial Award (1985) * Natya Shabha Award (1987) * Cadet Core Award (1989) * UNESCO Award (1996) * Tarokalok Award (1997) * Millennium Award (2000) * Amritabazar Award (2001) * Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award (2008)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barkatullah, Zeenat 1950s births 2023 deaths University of Dhaka alumni Bangladeshi female dancers Bangladeshi dancers Bangladeshi television actresses Recipients of the Ekushey Padak Place of birth missing Year of birth missing