A man of extraordinary talent, Mustafa Monowar was an artist, sculptor, radio performer, and professor of fine arts. For his pioneering contribution to the development of puppetry in Bangladesh, he became widely known as the country's "Puppet Man."

Born in 1935 to the renowned poet Golam Mostofa, Mustafa Monowar developed a deep love for painting from an early age. Music also played an important role in shaping his artistic sensibilities. Although he initially enrolled at Scottish Church College as a science student, his passion for art eventually led him to leave that path and pursue fine arts instead. In 1959, he graduated from the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, with First Class First honors in Fine Arts, establishing himself as an exceptionally talented artist.

Mustafa Monowar (Source: Showcase Magazine)

Mustafa Monowar was a leading figure in Bangladesh's media, art education, theatre, and children's cultural programming. In 1967–68, he created and hosted the popular television program “Ajob Deshe”. Through the puppet characters Bagha and Meni, the program cleverly used satire to comment on the political realities of the time.

During the Liberation War of 1971, his compassion and patriotism took on a remarkable form. Deeply moved by the fear and sadness of children living in refugee camps, he organized his very first puppet show to bring them comfort and joy. After Bangladesh gained independence, he continued to dedicate himself to the psychological, cultural, and creative development of children through various artistic initiatives.

Mustafa Monowar at a children's show on Bangladesh Television in 1965 (Source: Nondini Monowar)

Mustafa Monowar also played a significant role in designing the symbolic red sun behind the Central Shaheed Minar. He created memorable puppet characters such as Parul, while his puppet show “Moner Kotha” became popular among audiences of all ages. He also made important contributions to the creation of South Asian animated series Meena. In 1966, he launched “Notun Kuri”, a children's talent program that was initially broadcast live on a limited scale. Following Bangladesh's independence, it began regular broadcasts in 1976 and became an important platform for nurturing the creativity and cultural awareness of generations of children.

Puppet Show "Moner Kotha" (Source: Social Media)

In recognition of his lifelong contributions to art, culture, and children's development, Mustafa Monowar received numerous national and international honors, including the prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2004.

His lifelong dedication to enriching the lives of children through art and culture has left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. His contributions to Bangladesh's cultural heritage will forever be remembered with deep respect and gratitude.

Mustafa Monowar (Source: Showcase Magazine)