File:BD80s Montage.png, A montage of notable people of and events of Bangladesh in the 1980s including (clockwise from top left): Image of Shahjalal International Airport
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport ( bn, হযরত শাহ্জালাল আন্তর্জাতিক বিমানবন্দর, Romanized: ''Hôzrôt Shahjalal Antôrjatik Bimanbôndôr'') ( formerly VGZR) is th ...
, originally known as Zia International Airport; HM Ershad's reception for SAARC
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, ...
Head of States in Dhaka 1986; Noor Hossain protesting shortly before he was shot to death by police on 10 November 1987; The 1988 Bangladesh cyclone
The 1988 Bangladesh cyclone (designated as Tropical Cyclone 04B by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center) was one of the worst tropical cyclones in Bangladesh history. Striking in November 1988, the tropical system exacerbated the catastrophic ...
was one of the worst tropical cyclones in Bangladeshi history and portrait of Hussain Muhammad Ershad
Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad ( bn, হুসেইন মুহাম্মদ এরশাদ; 1 February 1930 – 14 July 2019) was a Bangladeshi Army Chief politician who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1983 to 1990, a time ma ...
, who ruled Bangladesh for most of 1980s., 420px, thumb
rect 231 4 600 180 SAARC
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, ...
rect 2 2 230 180 Shahjalal International Airport
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport ( bn, হযরত শাহ্জালাল আন্তর্জাতিক বিমানবন্দর, Romanized: ''Hôzrôt Shahjalal Antôrjatik Bimanbôndôr'') ( formerly VGZR) is th ...
rect 310 184 600 420 Noor Hossain
Noor Hossain (also rendered as Nur Hossain; bn, নূর হোসেন, Nūr Hōsēn; 1961 – November 10, 1987) was a Bangladeshi activist who was killed by the Bangladesh Police on November 10, 1987, while protesting against President Hussa ...
rect 2 182 180 420 Hussain Muhammad Ershad
Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad ( bn, হুসেইন মুহাম্মদ এরশাদ; 1 February 1930 – 14 July 2019) was a Bangladeshi Army Chief politician who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1983 to 1990, a time ma ...
rect 150 182 310 420 1988 Bangladesh cyclone
The 1988 Bangladesh cyclone (designated as Tropical Cyclone 04B by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center) was one of the worst tropical cyclones in Bangladesh history. Striking in November 1988, the tropical system exacerbated the catastrophic ...
The 1980s (pronounced "nineteen-eighties", commonly shortened as the "'80s", pronounced "eighties") was a
decade
A decade () is a period of ten years. Decades may describe any ten-year period, such as those of a person's life, or refer to specific groupings of calendar years.
Usage
Any period of ten years is a "decade". For example, the statement that "du ...
of the
Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. The principal change was to space leap years dif ...
that began on January 1, 1980, and ended on December 31, 1989. For Bangladesh this decade was characterized by economic hardship, natural disasters and military dictatorship.
Hussain Muhammad Ershad
Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad ( bn, হুসেইন মুহাম্মদ এরশাদ; 1 February 1930 – 14 July 2019) was a Bangladeshi Army Chief politician who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1983 to 1990, a time ma ...
ruled Bangladesh almost throughout the decade. Infrastructure development was slow but there was notable progress in local government administration, population control and NGO led microfinance activities which boosted the rural economy. The urge of freedom of speech and return to democracy influenced the cultural activities in the decade.
Politics and National life
Assassination of Ziaur Rahman
The decade began with
President Ziaur Rahman at the helm. Zia faced twenty one attempted coups against his government, including one by the air force.
His one time ally Colonel Abu Taher was tried for treason and executed. Similar fates were met by many of his perceived rivals in the armed forces. However, the final coup attempt resulted in his
assassination in 1981. Zia was killed by troops loyal to Major General
Abul Manzoor
Muhammed Abul Manzur (24 February 1940 – 1 June 1981) was a Bangladeshi military officer who commanded the Bangladesh Forces operations in Sector 8 during the Bangladesh Liberation War against Pakistan in 1971. He was allegedly involved in t ...
who stormed his official residence in Chittagong on 30 May 1981. The mutiny was later suppressed by army chief Lieutenant General
Hussain Muhammad Ershad
Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad ( bn, হুসেইন মুহাম্মদ এরশাদ; 1 February 1930 – 14 July 2019) was a Bangladeshi Army Chief politician who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1983 to 1990, a time ma ...
.
Sattar administration
Zia was succeeded by Vice-President
Abdus Sattar ʻAbd al-Sattār (ALA-LC romanization of ar, عبد الستّار) is an Arabic Muslim male given name, built on the Arabic words '' ʻabd'' and ''al-Sattār''. The name means "servant of the Veiler (of sins)".
Because the letter s is a sun lett ...
. President Sattar received a popular mandate during the 1981 presidential election. Vice-President
Mirza Nurul Huda
Mirza Nurul Huda (1 August 1919 – 22 December 1991) was an economist and academic who served as the 3rd Vice President of Bangladesh. He served as the governor of East Pakistan and the finance minister of Bangladesh.
Early life
Huda was born i ...
resigned in March 1982.
Sattar also suffered from health problems due to old age.
The
1982 Bangladesh coup d'état
__NOTOC__
Year 198 (CXCVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Sergius and Gallus (or, less frequently, year 951 '' Ab ...
deposed President Sattar and his civilian government.
The Bangladesh military cited food shortages, corruption and economic mismanagement as reasons behind the coup.
Ershad administration
Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General
Hussain Muhammad Ershad
Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad ( bn, হুসেইন মুহাম্মদ এরশাদ; 1 February 1930 – 14 July 2019) was a Bangladeshi Army Chief politician who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1983 to 1990, a time ma ...
assumed power in a bloodless coup on 24 March 1982, citing the "grave political, economic, and societal crisis" that the nation was in. This move was not unanticipated, as Ershad had previously expressed distaste with the ageing Sattar (who was past his 75th birthday) and his handling of national affairs, in addition to his refusal to allow the army more participation in politics. Like his predecessors, Ershad suspended the constitution and—citing pervasive corruption, ineffectual government, and economic mismanagement—declared martial law. Among his first actions were to privatise the largely state-owned economy (up to 70% of industry was in public ownership) and encourage private investment in heavy industries along with light manufacturing, raw materials, and newspapers. Foreign companies were invited to invest in Bangladeshi industry as well, and stiff protectionist measures were put in place to safeguard manufacturing. All political parties and trade unions were banned for the time being, with the death penalty to be administered for corruption and political agitation. Ershad's takeover was generally viewed as a positive development, as Bangladesh was in a state of serious economic difficulty. Two weeks before the coup in March, Prime Minister Shah Azizur Rahman announced that the country was facing significant food shortages. The government also faced a severe budget deficit to the tune of 4 billion takas, and the
IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a major financial agency of the United Nations, and an international financial institution, headquartered in Washington, D.C., consisting of 190 countries. Its stated mission is "working to foster globa ...
declared that it would not provide any more loans until Bangladesh paid down some of its existing debts. The following year, Ershad assumed the presidency, retaining his positions as army chief and CMLA. During most of 1984, Ershad sought the opposition parties' participation in local elections under martial law. The opposition's refusal to participate, however, forced Ershad to abandon these plans. Ershad sought public support for his regime in a national referendum on his leadership in March 1985. He won overwhelmingly, although turnout was small. Two months later, Ershad held elections for local council chairmen. Pro-government candidates won a majority of the posts, setting in motion the President's ambitious decentralisation program. Political life was further liberalised in early 1986, and additional political rights, including the right to hold large public rallies, were restored. At the same time, the Jatiya (National) Party, designed as Ershad's political vehicle for the transition from martial law, was established.
[ ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the ]public domain
The public domain (PD) consists of all the creative work
A creative work is a manifestation of creative effort including fine artwork (sculpture, paintings, drawing, sketching, performance art), dance, writing (literature), filmmaking, ...
.''
Despite a boycott by the BNP, led by President Zia's widow, Begum
Khaleda Zia
Khaleda Zia (; born Khaleda Khanam Putul in 1945) is a Bangladeshi politician who served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from March 1991 to March 1996, and again from June 2001 to October 2006. She was the first female prime minister of Ba ...
, parliamentary elections were held on schedule in May 1986. The Jatiya Party won a modest majority of the 300 elected seats in the National Assembly. The participation of the Awami League—led by the late President Mujib's daughter, Sheikh Hasina Wajed—lent the elections some credibility, despite widespread charges of voting irregularities.
[
Ershad resigned as Army Chief of Staff and retired from military service in preparation for the presidential elections, scheduled for October. Protesting that martial law was still in effect, both the BNP and the AL refused to put up opposing candidates. Ershad easily outdistanced the remaining candidates, taking 84% of the vote. Although Ershad's government claimed a turnout of more than 50%, opposition leaders, and much of the foreign press, estimated a far lower percentage and alleged voting irregularities.
Ershad continued his stated commitment to lift martial law. In November 1986, his government mustered the necessary two-thirds majority in the National Assembly to amend the constitution and confirm the previous actions of the martial law regime. The President then lifted martial law, and the opposition parties took their elected seats in the National Assembly.][
In July 1987, however, after the government hastily pushed through a controversial legislative bill to include military representation on local administrative councils, the opposition walked out of Parliament. Passage of the bill helped spark an opposition movement that quickly gathered momentum, uniting Bangladesh's opposition parties for the first time. The government began to arrest scores of opposition activists under the country's Special Powers Act of 1974. Despite these arrests, opposition parties continued to organise protest marches and nationwide strikes. After declaring a state of emergency, Ershad dissolved Parliament and scheduled fresh elections for March 1988.][
All major opposition parties refused government overtures to participate in these polls, maintaining that the government was incapable of holding free and fair elections. Despite the opposition boycott, the government proceeded. The ruling Jatiya Party won 251 of the 300 seats. The Parliament, while still regarded by the opposition as an illegitimate body, held its sessions as scheduled, and passed numerous bills, including, in June 1988, a controversial constitutional amendment making Islam Bangladesh's state religion and provision for setting up High Court benches in major cities outside of Dhaka. While Islam remains the state religion, the provision for decentralising the High Court division has been struck down by the Supreme Court.][
By 1989, the domestic political situation in the country seemed to have quieted. The local council elections were generally considered by international observers to have been less violent and more free and fair than previous elections. However, opposition to Ershad's rule began to regain momentum, escalating by the end of 1990 in frequent general strikes, increased campus protests, public rallies, and a general disintegration of law and order.][
]
Administrative Division
In 1980, Bangladesh was administratively divided into 4 divisions, namely Dhaka
Dhaka ( or ; bn, ঢাকা, Ḍhākā, ), formerly known as Dacca, is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, as well as the world's largest Bengali-speaking city. It is the eighth largest and sixth most densely populated city ...
, Chittagong
Chittagong ( /ˈtʃɪt əˌɡɒŋ/ ''chit-uh-gong''; ctg, চিটাং; bn, চিটাগং), officially Chattogram ( bn, চট্টগ্রাম), is the second-largest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and third largest city in B ...
, Khulna
Khulna ( bn, খুলনা, ) is the third-largest city in Bangladesh, after Dhaka and Chittagong. It is the administrative centre of Khulna District and Khulna Division. Khulna's economy is the third-largest in Bangladesh, contributing $53 b ...
and Rajshahi
Rajshahi ( bn, রাজশাহী, ) is a metropolis, metropolitan city and a major urban, commercial and educational centre of Bangladesh. It is also the administrative seat of the eponymous Rajshahi Division, division and Rajshahi District ...
which were further subdivided into a total of 18 districts (See '' List of districts of Bangladesh''). On 23 December 1982 the Local Government (Thana Parishad and Thana Administration Reorganisation) Ordinance was promulgated to introduce major changes with respect to the system of local government at the thana level. Under the reorganised set-up, thana was designated as the focal point of administration. In 1983, the Local Government Ordinance of 1982 was amended to re-designate and upgrade the existing thanas as upazilas (sub-districts). Furthermore, during 1983–84, 46 new districts were created by upgrading them from thanas or upazilas. By the end of the decade the number of districts stood at 64.
Demographics
Based on World Development Indicators published by the World Bank the population of Bangladesh grew from 79 million at the beginning of the decade to 104 million by the end. This signifies an annual population growth rate of 2.7%. Population density increased from 609 to 796 per km2.
The urban population was 14.9% of the total at the beginning, which ended up at 19.3%. Dhaka, the largest city, with a population of 3.3 million accounted for 27.0% of the total urban population by 1989. United Nations World Population Prospects show that the population growth rate was in decreasing trend (from 2.8% per annum to 2.6%), primarily due to reduction in fertility rate (births per woman) from 6.4 to 4.7. Life expectance at birth increased from 53.5 years to 57.8 years with Child (0-5) mortality reducing from 199 per 1,000 births to 150. Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) changed from 91.9% to 84.7% by the end of the decade.
Climate
Temperature and Precipitation
Compared to prior decade the average annual temperature increased by about 0.3 degree Celsius with most notable increases for the months of December and June. Average rainfall increased for April, May and July leading to overall average annual rainfall increase by about 131mm.
Natural disasters
With severe flooding followed by tropical cyclone, 1988 was the year with the worst natural disasters in the decade, and probably one of the worst in the history of independent Bangladesh.
The country experienced heavy rain and flooding in August–September 1988. Nearly 25 million people were rendered homeless and official death toll exceeded 500. About 30,000 km of roads were partially destroyed and rice crop on 3.5 million hectares was destroyed or damaged. The situation started to improve in late September, but people rendered homeless due to the flood continued to struggle. Striking in November 1988, a cyclone exacerbated the catastrophic damage from what was then considered the worst floods in Bangladesh's history. The brunt of the tropical cyclone's damage was inflicted upon coastal areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal. A total of 6,240 people were killed as a result of the storm, with 5,708 in Bangladesh. Many of the deaths were a result of the destruction of homes or electrocution after strong winds toppled power poles across the region. Along the coast of Bangladesh, strong storm surge
A storm surge, storm flood, tidal surge, or storm tide is a coastal flood or tsunami-like phenomenon of rising water commonly associated with low-pressure weather systems, such as cyclones. It is measured as the rise in water level above the n ...
caused heavy infrastructure damage and contributed in wiping out an estimated 70% of all harvestable Bangladeshi crops, with an estimated 200,000 tonnes (220,000 tons) of crops being lost.
Economy
National Income and Balance of Payment
Bangladesh GDP was US$28.6 billion in 1980, which grew to US$40.2 billion in 1989 (in 2010 constant dollar) signifying a 3.4% annual growth. Agricultural Sector contributed to 31.6% of GDP in the beginning of the decade, which increased to 32.9% by the end. During the same period contribution from the industrial sector decreased from 20.6% to 20.3% and that of the service sector decreased from 47.8% to 46.8%. Per capita GDP marginally increased from US$351 to US$388 (in 2010 constant dollar).
According to World Development Indicators published by the World Bank, on 2010 constant dollar basis, Bangladesh used to export US$1.2 billion (5.5% of GDP) worth of goods and services as of 1980, which marginally declined to US$1.1 billion (5.5% of GDP) in 1989. During the same time import of goods and services decreased from US$4.6 billion (17.9% of GDP) to US$2.8 billion (12.8% of GDP). Over the decade, Foreign Direct Investment and Personal Remittances Receipt averaged 0.01% and 2.64% of GDP; while, total Reserve averaged at 6.6% of external debt and 2.0 month's coverage of import.
Gross National Income (at 2010 constant dollar) grew from US$22.3 billion to US$28.4 billion over the decade. At the beginning of this period External Debt stock (of which concessional debt was 71.8%) was 6.1% of gross national income (GNI) and External Debt Service burden was 0.1% of GNI. By the end of the decade, External Debt stock (of which concessional debt now was 80.3%) stood at 19.1% of GNI and External Debt Service burden was 1.3% of the same. During the same period Military expenditure increased from 0.6% to 0.9% of GNI.
Agriculture
Aggregate value addition from agricultural sector was US$7.7 billion in 1980 (in 2010 constant USD), which grew at average annual rate of 1.4% to US$8.9 billion by 1989 (in the same constant USD). During this decade, crop production grew at an annual average rate of 2.0% driven by cereal production increase from 21.7 million metric tons to 27.9 million (implying annual growth of 2.5%) - enabled by improvement in cereal yield from 2006 kg per hectare to 2500 kg. At the same time livestock production grew at annual rate of 2.9% and fisheries production increased at 2.6% per annum. Altogether these contributed to overall food production increase by annualized rate of 2.2%.
Industrial and Service Sectors
Net value addition from industrial sector, which stood at US$4.0 billion in 1980 (in 2010 constant USD), grew at average annual rate of 5.2% to US$6.6 billion by 1989 (in the same constant USD basis). Manufacturing sector contributed 70.7% of industrial value added in the beginning of this period and it gradually changed to 64.6% by the end. By 1989 Manufacturers export accounted for 74.0% of total merchandise export while import supporting the manufacturing segment accounted for 56.7% of total merchandise import. In that year, textile and garments accounted for 37.7% of the value addition of the manufacturing sector. There were 1,347 recorded industrial design applications by Bangladeshi residents in this decade. In 1979-80 there were 3,006 industrial establishments in the country employing 0.42 million staffs. By 1989-90 the number of establishments grew to 24,283 and employment in the sector grew to 1.08 million.
On the other hand, net value addition from the service sector amounting US$15.8 billion in 1980, also grew at average annual rate of 3.8% and stood at US$22.9 billion by 1989 (in 2010 constant USD). Major Businesses / enterprises that started journey in this decade in Bangladesh include Beximco Pharma
Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd also known as Beximco Pharma, is a pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh. It is part of the Beximco Group of Companies.
Corporate history
Beximco Pharma was founded in 1976 and started operations in 1980, manufacturing ...
in 1980, PRAN-RFL Group
PRAN-RFL Group ( bn, প্রাণ-আরএফএল গ্রুপ) is a Bangladeshi multinational consumer goods company with headquarters in Dhaka. It is the largest agribusiness & plastic product manufacturer in Bangladesh. Currently ...
in 1981, BTI and Ha-meem Group in 1984, Orion Group
Orion Corporation ( fi, Orion Oyj), founded in 1917 and headquartered at Espoo, Finland, is a globally operating Finnish company which develops, manufactures and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients ...
, Paradise Group, S. Alam Group and Summit Group
Summit Group is one of the largest Bangladeshi conglomerate (company), conglomerates. The industries under this conglomerate include communication, trading, energy and power, shipping.
List of companies
* Summit Industrial & Mercantile Corporatio ...
in 1985, Bashundhara Group
Bashundhara Group ( bn, বসুন্ধরা গ্রুপ) is a Bangladeshi conglomerate. It is one of the largest manufacturing companies in Bangladesh. It was incorporated in 1987 as a real estate company venture under the name East West ...
in 1987 and Sheltech
Sheltech (Pvt.) Ltd. is a real estate company based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which was founded in 1988. It is a multi-disciplinary firm engaged in various activities, including real estate development, consultancy. It has three chains of boutique ho ...
, Citycell
Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited, doing business as Citycell ( bn, সিটিসেল), was the oldest mobile operator of Bangladesh. It was 1st mobile operator company in Bangladesh and pioneer telecommunications network companies in Sout ...
and Meghna Group in 1989.
Infrastructure
Transportation
When Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971, it inherited 3,860 km of paved roads which increased to about 6,600 km by end of the 1980s.[World Bank. 1991. ''Bangladesh - Transport sector review (English)''. Washington, DC: World Bank]
/ref> On the contrary, by the end of the decade Bangladesh Railway was still operating a route of 2,800 km - roughly the same as that in the earlier decade. A UNDP funded Bangladesh Transportation Sector Study executed by World Bank in 1988 estimated that by 1985 the ground transport system of Bangladesh was already supporting 35 billion km of passenger commute and 4.8 billion km of freight transport. Road network accounted for 64% of the passengers and 48% of the freight whereas 20% of the passengers and 17% of the freight were transported using the rail network - indicating a significant shift from rail to road network compared to earlier decade. Still the railway sector was not uneventful in this decade. The Kamalapur railway station
Kamalapur Railway Station, officially known as Dhaka Railway Station, is the central railway station in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh. It is the largest station and the busiest infrastructure for transportation in the country that acts as a gatew ...
started providing container services with the establishment of the first inland container depot (ICD) of the country on 11 April 1987. Furthermore, to improve operational efficiency and safety, an optical fibre digital telecommunication network was installed over 1,800 km connecting about 300 railway stations during 1985–90.
The inland water transport sector also saw some development during this decade with the opening of major river ports at Nagarbari (1983), Aricha (1983), Daulatdia (1983), Baghabari (1983) and Narsingdi (1989). However, ferry delays, siltation of the river system and shortage of capacity remained major bottlenecks of this sector. Air Transport sector also did not grow much in this decade. As of 1979, there were 14,800 registered carrier departures worldwide which ended up to 14,600 by 1989. During the same period number of passenger carried increased from 0.62 million to about 1.00 million per annum.
Telecommunication
In 1981, Bangladesh got its first Digital Telex Exchange. Automatic Digital ITX started in Dhaka in 1983. BTTB
BTCL or Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited is the largest telecommunications company in Bangladesh. The company was founded as the Bangladesh Telegraph & Telephone Board (BTTB) following Bangladesh's independence in 1971. On July 1, 2008 ...
introduced Coinbox Telephone services in 1985 and GENTEX Telegraph messaging services. In 1989, Bangladesh Rural Telecom Authority got license to operate exchanges in 200 upazilas and privately owned Sheba Telecom got license to operate exchange is 199 upazilas. The same year cellular mobile phone company Pacific Bangladesh Telephone Limited and Bangladesh Telecom got license.
In the beginning of the decade there were 95,000 fixed telephone line subscription in the country - which increased to 192,000 by the end signifying 0.19 lines per 100 people.
Energy
In 1980 per capital electric power consumption was 18.7 kWh, which increased to 49.2 kWh by 1989. During the same period per capital energy usage increased from 103.1 kg of oil equivalent to 116.8 kg and fossil fuel energy consumption increased from 32.1% to 45.1% of total.
In 1980 the electricity produced in the country was coming from: hydroelectric sources: 24.8%, natural gas sources: 48.6% and oil sources: 26.6%. By 1989 there was a significant move towards natural gas based electricity production and as a result, the distribution changed to hydroelectric sources: 12.9%, natural gas sources: 78.9% and oil sources: 8.2%.
In 1982 the eastern and western parts of Bangladesh were electrically connected through the commissioning of double circuit 230 KV transmission line across the Jamuna river
The Jamuna River ( bn, যমুনা ''Jomuna'') is one of the three main rivers of Bangladesh. It is the lower stream of the Brahmaputra River, which originates in Tibet as Yarlung Tsangpo, before flowing into India and then southwest into ...
energized at 132 KV through the first East-West Interconnector. In 1989 Petrobangla
PetroBangla (Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation; bn, পেট্রোবাংলা) is a government-owned national oil company of Bangladesh. It explores, produces, transports, manages and sells oil, natural gas and other mineral reso ...
contracted Chevron
Chevron (often relating to V-shaped patterns) may refer to:
Science and technology
* Chevron (aerospace), sawtooth patterns on some jet engines
* Chevron (anatomy), a bone
* ''Eulithis testata'', a moth
* Chevron (geology), a fold in rock lay ...
to develop the Bibiyana, Jalalabad
Jalalabad (; Dari/ ps, جلالآباد, ) is the fifth-largest city of Afghanistan. It has a population of about 356,274, and serves as the capital of Nangarhar Province in the eastern part of the country, about from the capital Kabul. Jala ...
, and Moulvibazar
Moulvibazar ( bn, মৌলভীবাজার) is a town in north-eastern Bangladesh just south of Sylhet. It is the capital of Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila and Moulvibazar District, and is located on the banks of the Manu River, Tripura, Manu R ...
gas fields, which allowed Chevron
Chevron (often relating to V-shaped patterns) may refer to:
Science and technology
* Chevron (aerospace), sawtooth patterns on some jet engines
* Chevron (anatomy), a bone
* ''Eulithis testata'', a moth
* Chevron (geology), a fold in rock lay ...
to eventually become the largest gas producer in the country.
Financial Services
While in the 1970s the Financial Sector of Bangladesh was dominated by Public Sector banks (see here
Here is an adverb that means "in, on, or at this place". It may also refer to:
Software
* Here Technologies, a mapping company
* Here WeGo (formerly Here Maps), a mobile app and map website by Here
Television
* Here TV (formerly "here!"), a TV ...
), in the 1980s the Government started to pursue Privatization agenda. Uttara Bank
Uttara Bank Limited is one of the largest and oldest private sector commercial banks in Bangladesh. There are 243 branches at home and 600 affiliates worldwide.
History
Uttara Bank Limited (UBL) was established in 1965 with the head office locat ...
and Pubali Bank
Pubali Bank ( bn, পূবালী ব্যাংক) is the largest private commercial bank in Bangladesh. It has more branches than any other private bank in the country. Monzurur Rahman is the present chairman of the bank.
History
Pubali B ...
were privatized in 1983. Other Private banks which started operation in this decade include Islami Bank Bangladesh, United Commercial Bank
United Commercial Bank (Chinese: 聯合銀行) was an overseas Chinese bank in the United States, based in San Francisco, California. It was a subsidiary of UCBH Holdings. Founded in 1974 as United Federal Savings and Loan Association, it cha ...
, The City Bank
The City Bank Limited is a Bangladeshi private commercial bank headquartered in Dhaka. The bank provides products and services in retail banking, corporate finance, SME Banking, women banking, digital banking, asset management, equity brokerage ...
and National Bank
In banking, the term national bank carries several meanings:
* a bank owned by the state
* an ordinary private bank which operates nationally (as opposed to regionally or locally or even internationally)
* in the United States, an ordinary p ...
in 1983, Arab Bangladesh Bank in 1985 and Al Baraka Bank (later named Oriental bank and subsequently ICB Islamic Bank) in 1987.
The government's encouragement during the late 1970s and early 1980s of agricultural development and private industry brought changes in lending strategies. The number of rural bank branches doubled between 1977 and 1985, to more than 3,330. Denationalisation and private industrial growth led the Bangladesh Bank and the World Bank to focus their lending on the emerging private manufacturing sector. Scheduled bank advances to private agriculture, as a percentage of sectoral GDP, rose from 2 percent in FY 1979 to 11 percent in FY 1987, while advances to private manufacturing rose from 13 percent to 53 percent.
The transformation of finance priorities brought with it problems in administration. No sound project-appraisal system was in place to identify viable borrowers and projects. Lending institutions were often instructed by the political authorities. In addition, the incentive system for the banks stressed disbursements rather than recoveries, and the accounting and debt collection systems were inadequate to deal with the problems of loan recovery. The rate of recovery on agricultural loans was only 27 percent in FY 1986, and the rate on industrial loans was even worse. As a result of this poor showing, major donors applied pressure to induce the Government and banks to take firmer action to strengthen internal bank management and credit discipline. As a consequence, recovery rates began to improve in 1987. The National Commission on Money, Credit, and Banking recommended broad structural changes in Bangladesh's system of financial intermediation early in 1987, many of which were built into a three-year compensatory financing facility signed by Bangladesh with the IMF in February 1987.[
One major exception to the management problems of Bangladeshi banks was the ]Grameen Bank
Grameen Bank ( bn, গ্রামীণ ব্যাংক) is a microfinance organisation and community development bank founded in Bangladesh. It makes small loans (known as microcredit or "grameencredit") to the impoverished without requi ...
, which begun as a government project in 1976 and established in 1983 as an independent bank. In the late 1980s, the bank continued to provide financial resources to the poor on reasonable terms and to generate productive self-employment without external assistance. About 70 percent of the borrowers were women, who were otherwise not much represented in institutional finance. The average loan by the Grameen Bank in the mid-1980s was around Tk2,000 (US$25), and the maximum was just Tk18,000 (for construction of a tin-roof house). Repayment terms were 4 percent for rural housing and 8.5 percent for normal lending operations.[
The wave of Privatization touched the insurance sector and capital market as well. Until 1985, ]Jiban Bima Corporation
Jiban Bima Corporation (JBC) is the state-run life insurance corporation in Bangladesh under the provisions of the Insurance Act 1938, Insurance Rules 1958, and related other laws enforceable in Bangladesh in Bangladesh Corporation Act 1973. The ...
was the only institution to handle life insurance business in Bangladesh. Through the Insurance (Amendment) Ordinance 1984 and Insurance Corporations (Amendment) Ordinance 1984, the government allowed the private sector to establish insurance companies. In the mid-1980s, two private investment companies namely, National Credit Ltd. and Bangladesh Commerce and Investment Ltd., were permitted to participate in the capital market, although their activities remained limited.
Education
During the 1980s, the reports of ‘Mazid Khan Commission 1983’ and ‘Mofiz Commission 1988’ on education were not formally adopted for implementation, but the Ershad Government took a number of measures to increase the salary subvention to non- government educational institutions including the formation of BCS (General Education) Cadre. The period also saw increased focus on religious education. The primary education coverage did not improve much from earlier decade. 4.5-5.5 million primary-school-age children remained outside schools throughout the decade; and even for those in school, there were only 1.9 teachers per 1,000 students.
Based on World Bank data, in 1980, there were 2.66 million secondary school students (including higher secondary) in the country, which grew to 3.41 million by the end of the decade. Secondary school enrollment rate slightly improved from 18.5% to 19.9% during the same period. Due to increased focus on female education, ratio of female students in secondary education improved significantly from 24.1% to 32.4%. Number of teachers covering the students grew from 112 to 130 thousand.
Throughout this decade the secondary and higher secondary education administration for the country, used to be managed by 4 general education boards set-up in the 1960s, namely Dhaka
Dhaka ( or ; bn, ঢাকা, Ḍhākā, ), formerly known as Dacca, is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, as well as the world's largest Bengali-speaking city. It is the eighth largest and sixth most densely populated city ...
, Rajshahi
Rajshahi ( bn, রাজশাহী, ) is a metropolis, metropolitan city and a major urban, commercial and educational centre of Bangladesh. It is also the administrative seat of the eponymous Rajshahi Division, division and Rajshahi District ...
, Comilla
Comilla (; bn, কুমিল্লা, Kumillā, ), officially spelled Cumilla, is the fifth largest city of Bangladesh and second largest in Chittagong division. It is the administrative centre of the Comilla District. The name Comilla was ...
and Jessore
Jessore ( bn, যশোর, jôshor, ), officially Jashore, is a city of Jessore District situated in Khulna Division. It is situated in the south-western part of Bangladesh. It is the administrative centre (headquarter) of the eponymous district ...
; a Technical Education Board and a Madrasah Education Board
Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board ( bn, বাংলাদেশ মাদ্রাসা শিক্ষা বোর্ড) or Alia Madrasah Education Board started its activity independently in 1979. With the passage of time in Banglades ...
. The office of the Director of Public Instruction (DPI) was upgraded as the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in 1981.
Since independence the tertiary education of the country used to be managed by four general education universities, namely University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...
, University of Rajshahi
The University of Rajshahi, also known as Rajshahi University or RU ( bn, রাজশাহী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়), is a Public university, public Mixed-sex education, co-educational research university in Bangladesh si ...
, University of Chittagong
The University of Chittagong ( bn, চট্টগ্রাম বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, caṭṭagram bishwabidyalay) is a public research university with multidisciplinary faculties situated across a 1754-acres hilly landmas ...
and Jahangirnagar University
Jahangirnagar University ( JU) is a publicly funded university located in Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the only fully residential university in Bangladesh. It operated as a project until 1973, when the 'Jahangirnagar Muslim University Act' w ...
along with 2 specialized universities - Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, commonly known by the acronym BUET, is a public technological research university in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Founded in 1876 as the Dacca Survey School, it is the oldest institution for the study ...
and Bangladesh Agricultural University
Bangladesh Agricultural University ( bn, বাংলাদেশ কৃষি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, ''Bangladesh Krishi Bishshobiddalôe''), abbreviated as BAU, was established in 1961. The university has 43 departments.
...
. In addition, Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research (IPGMR) served as a Government-controlled postgraduate institute for medical research and studies. On 22 November 1979, the foundation of the Islamic University
The term "Islamic university" ( ar, الجامعة الإسلامية, ''Jami'ah Islamiyah''), sometimes called madrasah jāmiʿah ( ar, مدرسة جامعة), can be used to describe secular educational institutions that were founded by people ...
was set up in Kushtia
Kushtia ( bn, কুষ্টিয়া) is a city in the Khulna Division of southwestern Bangladesh. Kushtia is the second largest municipality in Bangladesh and the eleventh largest city in the country. The second largest city in Khulna div ...
, but it began operations on 28 June 1986. Islamic University of Technology
Islamic University of Technology ( bn, ইসলামিক ইউনিভার্সিটি অব টেকনোলজি), commonly known as IUT, is an international university located in Gazipur, Bangladesh. IUT offers undergraduate ...
, first known as ''Islamic Center for Technical, Vocational Training and Research'' (ICTVTR) was proposed in the 9th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God (or '' Allah'') as it was revealed to Muhammad, the mai ...
(ICFM) held in Dakar
Dakar ( ; ; wo, Ndakaaru) (from daqaar ''tamarind''), is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 3.94 million in 2 ...
, Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 ...
on 24–28 April 1978. Foundation stone of ICTVTR was laid by president Ziaur Rahman
Lt. General Ziaur Rahman (19 January 1936 – 30 May 1981), was a Bangladeshi military officer and politician who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1977 to 1981. He was assassinated on 30 May 1981 in Chittagong in an army coup d' ...
of Bangladesh on 27 March 1981 in the presence of Yasir Arafat
Mohammed Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf al-Qudwa al-Husseini (4 / 24 August 1929 – 11 November 2004), popularly known as Yasser Arafat ( , ; ar, محمد ياسر عبد الرحمن عبد الرؤوف عرفات القدوة الحسيني, Mu ...
, the then-chairman of the PLO
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO; ar, منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية, ') is a Palestinian nationalist political and militant organization founded in 1964 with the initial purpose of establishing Arab unity and s ...
, and Habib Chatty
Habib Chatty (9 August 1916 – 6 March 1991) was a Tunisian politician and diplomat. He served as the fourth Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) from 1979 to 1984.
Biography
Habi Chatty was born on 9 August 1916 i ...
, the then-Secretary General
Secretary is a title often used in organizations to indicate a person having a certain amount of authority, power, or importance in the organization. Secretaries announce important events and communicate to the organization. The term is derived ...
of OIC. The construction of the campus was completed at Gazipur
Gazipur ( bn, গাজীপুর) is a city in central Bangladesh. It is located in the Gazipur District. It is a major industrial city north of Dhaka. It is a hub for the textile industry in Bangladesh. Its other name is Joydebpur.
Demogra ...
in 1987 at a cost of US$11 Million and ICTVTR was formally inaugurated by the President of Bangladesh on 14 July 1988.
The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) is a Public university, public research university, research based university in Sylhet, Bangladesh. It is the List of universities in Bangladesh#Public universities, 8th oldest university o ...
was also established in this decade (1986), but it started its career on 13 February 1991.
Mass Media
In the 1980s the Government continued to maintain tight control over the mass media. In March 1982 General Hossain Mohammad Ershad ordered the
suspension of a number of newspapers and made penalty provisions for criticizing Martial Law. In this environment the newspapers continued to operate and a few notable publications started their journey - including Daily Inqilab
''Inqilab'' ( bn, দৈনিক ইনকিলাব) is a major daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka in the Bengali language.
Overview
The ''Daily Inqilab'' is a leading vernacular newspaper of Bangladesh. The word Inqilab m ...
and ''Jaijaidin
''Jaijaidin'' ( bn, যায়যায়দিন '' Jaejaedin'') is a Bengali-language daily published from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Editor
In Bangladesh, ''Jaijaidin'' was published and edited by Shafik Rehman, but he lost the editorship of ''Ja ...
''. In 1988, United News of Bangladesh
United News of Bangladesh (UNB) is a Bangladesh private sector news agency established in 1988. Enayetullah Khan established UNB in the 1980s. It is the first fully digitized private wire service in South Asia.
UNB has news exchange agreements w ...
was founded as the country's first fully computerised privately owned news agency.
Bangladesh Television
Bangladesh Television ( bn, বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশন), commonly known by its acronym BTV ( bn, বিটিভি), is the state-owned television network of Bangladesh. The network was originally established as the East ...
, the state-owned television network, started transmission in colour-format from the beginning of the decade. It continued to serve as the only television network available in the country throughout the decade. The state-owned Radio Bangladesh (later renamed Bangladesh Betar
Bangladesh Betar ( bn, বাংলাদেশ বেতার; ), or BB is the state-owned radio broadcaster of Bangladesh, initially established as the Dhaka station of All India Radio in 1939. It was later made part of Radio Pakistan. After t ...
) was the only radio station in the country. It shifted its head office to the National Broadcasting House, Agargaon in 1983.
Awards and Recognitions
* Sir Fazle Hasan Abed
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed ( bn, ফজলে হাসান আবেদ; 27 April 1936 – 20 December 2019) was the founder of BRAC, one of the world's largest non-governmental organizations.
Early life
Abed was born on 27 April 1936 in the vi ...
, the founder of BRAC, was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award (Filipino: ''Gawad Ramon Magsaysay'') is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealis ...
in 1980.
*Bangladeshi author Abdullah-Al-Muti
Abdullah Al Muti Sharafuddin (1 January 1930 – 30 November 1998), mostly known as "Abdullah Al Muti" was a Bangladeshi educationist and science writer. He wrote tough scientific ideas in an easy fashion suitable for children and teenagers. He b ...
won the UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
Kalinga Prize
The Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is an award given by UNESCO for exceptional skill in presenting scientific ideas to lay people. It was created in 1952, following a donation from Biju Patnaik, Founder President of the Kalinga ...
in 1983.
* Muhammad Yunus
Muhammad Yunus (born 28 June 1940) is a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, banker, economist and civil society leader who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for founding the Grameen Bank and pioneering the concepts of microcredit and microfinance ...
, the founder of Grameen Bank
Grameen Bank ( bn, গ্রামীণ ব্যাংক) is a microfinance organisation and community development bank founded in Bangladesh. It makes small loans (known as microcredit or "grameencredit") to the impoverished without requi ...
, was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award (Filipino: ''Gawad Ramon Magsaysay'') is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealis ...
in 1984.
* Zafrullah Chowdhury
Zafrullah Chowdhury (born 27 December 1941) is a Bangladeshi public health activist. He is the founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra (meaning the People's Health Center in Bengali), a rural healthcare organisation. Dr. Chowdhury is known more for his ...
, the founder of ''Gonoshasthaya Kendra'', was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award (Filipino: ''Gawad Ramon Magsaysay'') is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealis ...
in 1985.
* Bangladeshi diplomat Humayun Rashid Choudhury
Humayun Rasheed Choudhury ( bn, হুমায়ূন রশীদ চৌধুরী; 11 November 1928 – 10 July 2001) was a Bangladeshi career diplomat and Speaker of the Jatiyo Sangsad, Speaker of the Bangladesh National Parliament from 19 ...
was elected president of the 41st session of the UN General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA; french: link=no, Assemblée générale, AG) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Curr ...
in 1986.
* Richard William Timm
Richard William Timm (March 2, 1923 – September 11, 2020) was a Catholic Priest, educator, zoologist, and development worker. He was the Superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Dhaka and a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province. He ...
, was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award (Filipino: ''Gawad Ramon Magsaysay'') is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealis ...
for his work in Bangladesh in 1987.
* Mohammad Yeasin, the promoter of Deedar Comprehensive Village Development Cooperative Society, was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award (Filipino: ''Gawad Ramon Magsaysay'') is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealis ...
in 1988.
Culture
Literature
In the 1980s Bangladesh had a vibrant literary scene. The struggle of contemporary life under autocratic rule has often come up as the central theme of the works produced. Notable literary works from Bangladeshi authors from this decade include Shawkat Osman's ''Artanad''; Selina Hossain's ''Yapita Jiban'', ''Nil Mayurer Yauban'', ''Chand Bene'', ''Pokamakader Gharbasati'' and ''Nirantar Ghantadhvani''; Humayun Ahmed's ''Aguner Poroshmoni''; Rahat Khan's ''Bhalamander Taka''; Syed Shamsul Huq's ''Duratva'', ''Nuruldiner Sara Jiban'', ''Mahashunye Paran Master'', ''Ayna Bibir Pala'', ''Swapna Sankranta'' and ''Bristi O Bidrohigon''; Hasan Azizul Huq's ''Patale Haspatale''; Abu Rushd's ''Mahendra Mistanna Bhandar''; Akhtaruzzaman Elias' ''Khoyari'', ''Chilekothar Sepai'' and ''Dudhbhate Utpat'', Shamsur Rahman's ''Octopus'', ''Montage '', poetry ''Khub Beshi Valo Thakte Nei'' and ''Buk Tar Bangladesher Hridoy'', Mamunur Rashid's drama ''Ora Achhe Balei'', ''Ekhane Nobar'' and ''Iblis'', Selim Al Deen's ''Kittankhola''; Momtajuddin Ahmed's ''Ki Chaha Shankhachil''; Ahsan Habib's poetry ''Megh Bole Choitrey Jabo''; Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah's ''Firey Chai Swarno Gram'', ''Manusher Manchitra'', ''Chhobolo'', ''Galpa'' and ''Diechi Shokol Akaash''; Moinul Ahsan Saber's ''Porasto Sahish'' and ''Pathor Somoy''; Muhammed Zafar Iqbal's ''Dipu Number Two''; Humayun Azad's ''Shob Kichu Noshtoder Odhikare Jabe'', Nilima Ibrahim's ''Banhi Balay''; M. R. Akhter Mukul's autobiographical ''Ami Bijoy Dekhechi''; Jahanara Imam's ''Ekatturer Dinguli''; and Bashir Al Helal's non-fiction ''Bhasha Andoloner Itihas''; Ahmed Sofa's ''Ekjan Ali Kenaner Utthan Patan'' and ''Maranbilash ''; Mokbula Manzoor's ''Atmaja O Amra'' and Imdadul Haq Milan's ''Rupnagor''. In this decade the literature circle of the country lost luminaries like: Qazi Motahar Hossain
Qazi Motahar Hossain (30 July 1897 – 9 October 1981) was a Bangladeshi writer, scientist, statistician, chess player, and journalist.
Hossain was a pioneer educationalist of Bangladesh. He did original research in statistics and pioneered i ...
(1981), Muhammad Enamul Haque
Muhammad Enamul Haque (20 September 1902 – 16 February 1982) was a Bangladeshi researcher, litterateur and educationist.
Early life and education
Haque was born on 20 September 1902 in Bakhtpur, Fatikchhari Upazila, Chittagong District, Be ...
(1982), Aroj Ali Matubbar (1985), poet Ahsan Habib
Ahsan Habib (2 January 1917 – 10 July 1985) was a Bangladeshi poet and literary figure in Bengali culture. He was born in the village of Shankarpasha, in Pirojpur. Before the India-Pakistan partition, he worked on several literary magazines: ' ...
(1985) and Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal
Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal (11 March 1936 – 23 September 1989) was a Bangladeshi songwriter, poet, essayist, critic and presenter. In his early life, he was a singer on East Bengal radio and television. He was a professor of Bengali literature at t ...
(1989).
Visual arts
Throughout the 80s the photography field was vibrant. While the stalwarts like Manzoor Alam Beg
Manzoor Alam Beg ( bn, মনজুর আলম বেগ; 1 October 193126 July 1998) was a Bangladeshi photographer. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2007 by the Government of Bangladesh.
Personal life
Beg was the third child of Professor Hu ...
, Pavel Rahman and Anwar Hossain were active, documentary photography practice was pioneered by Shahidul Alam
Shahidul Alam (born 1955) is a Bangladeshi photojournalist, teacher and social activist. He has been a photographer for more than forty years and "his photographs have been published in almost every major western media outlet".
Alam founded the ...
; who went on to set up the Drik Picture Library
Drik Picture Library is a photography agency and picture library based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Background
Drik Picture Library was established in 1989 by Bangladeshi writer and photographer Shahidul Alam and Bangladeshi writer and anthropolog ...
in 1989. The field of painting was equally active with the painters experimenting with a number of mediums in various branches of art. Painter SM Sultan
Sheikh Mohammed Sultan ( bn, শেখ মহম্মদ সুলতান; 10 August 1923 – 10 October 1994), popularly known as S M Sultan, was a Bengali decolonial artist who worked in painting and drawing. His fame rests on his striking ...
did some of his best work in the 1980s. Artist Shahabuddin Ahmed
Shahabuddin Ahmed (1 February 1930 – 19 March 2022) served as the President of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001, and the Chief Justice of Bangladesh from 1990 to 1995. He previously served as the acting president during 1990–91 when Hussain Mu ...
was another major contributor in the field. Painter cartoonist Rafiqun Nabi
Rafiqun Nabi (born 28 November 1943), better known as Ranabi, is a Bangladeshi artist and cartoonist. He is best known for creating '' Tokai'', a character symbolizing the poor street boys of Dhaka who lives on picking things from dustbins or beg ...
made his mark with his creation "tokai". The emergence of a large number of female painters was a notable development of the decade. While abstract form remained dominant, other ultra-modern western trends such as conceptual art, especially installation, started to become popular in Bangladeshi art. Notable painters from this decade include Ranjit Das, Kazi Raqib, Jamal Ahmed, Muhammad Eunus, Tarun Ghosh
Tarun Ghosh is a Bangladeshi art director and animation editor. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Art Direction for the film ''Kittonkhola'' (2000).
Selected films Animation editor
* ''Nirontor'' - 2006
Art director
* ''Kittonkhola ...
, Shahadat Husain, Ruhul Amin Kajol, GS Kabir, Dhali Al-Mamun, Nasreen Begum, Rokeya Sultana, Shishir Bhattacharjee
Shishir Bhattacharjee (born 1960) is a Bangladeshi artist. His paintings, critical of the political establishment but always in a satirical fashion, were first seen in the 1980s. His political cartoons appear regularly in daily newspapers in Ba ...
, Nazlee Laila Mansur, Dilara Begum Jolly, Niloofar Chaman and Atia Islam Anne. However, in this decade the death of master painter, "Potua" Quamrul Hassan
Quamrul Hassan (, 1921–1988) was a Bengali artist. Hassan is referred to in Bangladesh as Potua, a word usually associated with folk artists, due to his down to earth style yet very modern in nature as he always added Cubism other than the fo ...
(1984) made the nation grieve. The 1980s were an important period in architecture because divergent ideas started to pervade the country's architectural thought. An architectural research group named ''Chetona'' (awareness) aimed to make critical thought an integral part of architectural practice. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) is an architectural prize established by Aga Khan IV in 1977. It aims to identify and reward architectural concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of Muslim societies in the fields ...
also had a significant impact in this decade. Bangladeshi Architect Fazlur Rahman Khan
Fazlur Rahman Khan ( bn, ফজলুর রহমান খান, ''Fozlur Rôhman Khan''; 3 April 1929 – 27 March 1982) was a Bangladeshi-American structural engineer and architect, who initiated important structural systems for skyscrape ...
continued to perform at his peak in this decade, though most of his creations were outside Bangladesh.
Performing arts
In this decade music directors and composers like Alauddin Ali
Alauddin Ali (24 December 1952 – 9 August 2020) was a Bangladeshi music composer. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director five times for the films ''Golapi Ekhon Traine'' (1978), '' Sundori'' (1979), ''Koshai'' (1980), ...
, Alam Khan, Khandaker Nurul Alam
Khandaker Nurul Alam (1937 – 22 January 2016) was a Bangladeshi music composer and singer. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director for the films ''Chandranath'' (1984), ''Shuvoda'' (1986), and ''Padma Meghna Jamuna'' (1991 ...
and Ali Hossain
Ali Hossain (23 March 1940 – 17 February 2021) was a Bangladeshi music composer. He was notable for the songs like ''"Osru Diye Lekha E Gaan"'', and ''"Holud Bato Mendi Bato"''. He has composed music for 42 films in his career. He won Banglade ...
and singers like Sabina Yasmin
Sabina Yasmin (born 4 September 1953) is a Bangladeshi singer. She is best known as a playback singer in Bengali cinema. She has won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer a record 14 times. She has recorded more than 1, ...
, Andrew Kishore
Andrew Kishore Kumar Baroi (widely known as Andrew Kishore, 4 November 1955 – 6 July 2020) was a Bangladeshi playback singer. He is considered as the "Playback King" of Bangladesh music industry who sang more than 15 thousands songs. He sang ...
, Subir Nandi
Subir Nandi (19 November 1953 – 7 May 2019) was a Bangladeshi musician. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer five times for his performance in the films '' Mahanayak'' (1984), ''Shuvoda'' (1986), '' Srabon Megher ...
, Runa Laila
Runa Laila ( bn, রুনা লায়লা, ur, ; born 17 November 1952) is a Bangladeshi playback singer and composer. She started her career in Pakistan film industry in the late 1960s. Her style of singing is inspired by Pakistani p ...
, Syed Abdul Hadi
Syed Abdul Hadi (born 1 July 1940) is a Bangladeshi singer. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer five times for his playback performance in the films ''Golapi Ekhon Traine'' (1979), ''Sundori'' (1979), ''Koshai' ...
, Mitali Mukherjee
Mitali Singh (née Mukherjee) is an Indian-Bangladeshi Classical music, classical and playback singer, she hails from Mymensingh, Bangladesh. She received the National Film Awards (Bangladesh), National Film Award of Bangladesh in 1982 for the ...
and Nilufar Yasmin
Nilufar Yasmin (13 February 1948 – 10 March 2003) was a Bangladeshi singer of Nazrul Sangeet, Rajanikanta Geeti, Dwijendra Geeti and Atul Prasdi genre. She was the fourth of five Yasmin sisters of Bangladesh music. Her siblings are Farida ...
led the music arena with modern Bengali music and playback music of films. ''Uccharon'' were the biggest band of that era; and their frontman Azam Khan, a freedom fighter, cemented himself as a pop culture phenomenon. On the other hand, ''Spondan'' featuring musicians like Nasir Ahmed Apu, Firoz Shai, Ferdous Wahid
Ferdous Wahid is a retired Bangladeshi pop singer and film director. He made his directorial debut with the Bangladeshi film '' Kusumpurer Golpo'' (The Story of Kusumpur).
Career
Wahid started his career in the 1970s. His son Habib Wahid became ...
, reinvented Bangla folk music and became one of the most popular rock bands of the time. The Akhand Brothers Band (featuring Lucky and Happy Akhand
Happy Akhand (12 October 196028 December 1987) was a Bangladeshi rock singer, songwriter. He was one of the pioneering rock musicians in Bangladesh. He was the founding member of the rock band Miles. He is sometimes referred to as the ''Prince o ...
), who produced several hit songs in that decade led the scene of pop music, until Happy
Happiness, in the context of mental or emotional states, is positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Other forms include life satisfaction, well-being, subjective well-being, flourishing and eudaimonia.
Sinc ...
met an untimely demise in 1987. Successful music bands like Souls
In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being".
Etymology
The Modern English noun ''soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest attes ...
, Feedback
Feedback occurs when outputs of a system are routed back as inputs as part of a chain of cause-and-effect that forms a circuit or loop. The system can then be said to ''feed back'' into itself. The notion of cause-and-effect has to be handled ...
, Feelings (later renamed Nagar Baul) and Miles
The mile, sometimes the international mile or statute mile to distinguish it from other miles, is a British imperial unit and United States customary unit of distance; both are based on the older English unit of length equal to 5,280 English ...
release their first albums in this decade.
The theatre groups which started their journey in the 1970s continued to production in this decade, but due to financial constrains the initial zeal somehow subsided. Notebale among these in Dhaka city were ''Theatre'', ''Nagarik Natya Sampraday'', ''Natyachakra'', ''Aranyak Natyadal'', ''Dhaka Theatre'' and, in Chittagong
Chittagong ( /ˈtʃɪt əˌɡɒŋ/ ''chit-uh-gong''; ctg, চিটাং; bn, চিটাগং), officially Chattogram ( bn, চট্টগ্রাম), is the second-largest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and third largest city in B ...
, ''Theatre '73'', ''Tirjak Nattyagoshthi'' and ''Arindam''. The range of texts performed by the groups varied widely, from Euro-American plays to contemporary originals written by group members themselves. Among the leading playwrights were Abdullah al Mamun, Mamunur Rashid
Mamunur Rashid (born 29 February 1948) is a Bangladeshi actor, director and scriptwriter. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2012 and Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1982 by the Government of Bangladesh.
Early life and education
Rashid was born o ...
, Syed Shamsul Huq
Syed Shamsul Haq (27 December 1935 – 27 September 2016) was a Bangladeshi writer. He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1966 (the youngest among all to receive it), Ekushey Padak in 1984 and Independence Day Award in 2000 by the Gove ...
, Selim Al Deen
Selim Al Deen (18 August 1949 – 14 January 2008) was a Bangladeshi playwright and theatre artist. He was the founder chairperson of the Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University. He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Awar ...
, and Momtazuddin Ahmed
Momtazuddin Ahmed ( bn, মমতাজউদ্দিন আহমেদ; 24 December 1903 – 12 September 1971) was a Bangladeshi philosopher and educationist.
Early life and education
Ahmed was born to a Bengali Muslim family from Brahma ...
. In response to the ongoing struggle against the autocratic rule in the political arena, many groups also took up theatre as a medium for popular protest. Another important area of proliferation was the Mukta Natak movement initiated by Aranyak, in which members of the group sought to create performances with rural landless peasants. In mainstream theatre, a notable development was the attempt taken up by Dhaka Theatre and a number of other groups to incorporate indigenous performance elements in modern theatre practice.
Cinema
The 1970s and 1980s were a golden era for the Bangladeshi film industry, both commercially and critically. A number of actors and actresses enjoyed popularity during this period, including Abdur Razzak
ʻAbd al-Razzāq (ALA-LC romanization of ar, عبد الرزاق) is a male Muslim given name, and in modern usage, surname. It is built from the Arabic words '' ʻabd'' and ''al-Razzāq'', one of the names of God in the Qur'an, which give rise to ...
, who was the most successful actor commercially during this period, as well as Kabori Sarwar
Sarah Begum Kabori (also Kabori Sarwar; born Mina Pal, 19 July 1950 – 17 April 2021) was a Bangladeshi film actress and politician. Her notable films include ''Sutorang'', ''Sareng Bou'', ''Abhirbhab'', ''Shat Bhai Champa'', ''Sujon Sokhi'' ...
, Shabana
Shabana is a feminine given name. People named Shabana include:
*Shabana (actress), Bangladeshi actress
* Shabana (dancer), a Pakistani dancer killed by the Taliban
* Shabana Akhtar, Pakistani athlete
*Shabana Azmi, Indian actress
*Shabana Bakhsh ...
, Farida Akhter Bobita, Farooque
Akbar Hossain Pathan (born 18 August 1948), known by the stage name Farooque, is a Bangladeshi actor, politician, businessman, producer, member of parliament and a freedom fighter. He is known as 'Mia Bhai' (respected brother) to mass people. He a ...
, Shabnam
Jharna Basak (born 17 August 1946), known by her stage name Shabnam, is a Bangladeshi–Pakistani stage and film actress. Actor Waheed Murad introduced her to the Pakistani film industry by offering her a lead role in his film ''Samundar'' in 1 ...
, Kohinoor Akhter Shuchanda, Alamgir, Sohel Raana, Amol Bose
Amal Bose (born Amalendu Bose[Bulbul Ahmed
Bulbul Ahmed (born Tabarruk Ahmed; 4 September 1941 – 15 July 2010) was a Bangladeshi actor and director. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor award three times for his roles in the films ''Shimana Periye'' (1977), '' Badhu Bi ...]
, Zafar Iqbal, Wasim, Ilias Kanchan
Idris Ali (born 24 December 1956; known by his stage name Ilias Kanchan) is a Bangladeshi actor and activist. He appeared in more than 350 films during the 1980s and 1990s. He earned Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in t ...
, Jashim
Abul Khayer Jashim Uddin (known professionally as Jashim; 14 August 1950 – 8 October 1998) was a Bangladeshi film actor, producer, action director and a freedom fighter. He acted in more than 200 films and is known as the first action hero of D ...
, Rozina, Parveen Sultana Diti
Parveen Sultana ( bn, পারভীন সুলতানা দিতি known by her stage name Diti; 31 March 1965 – 20 March 2016) was a Bangladeshi film and television actress. She won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Support ...
and Champa
Champa (Cham: ꨌꩌꨛꨩ; km, ចាម្ប៉ា; vi, Chiêm Thành or ) were a collection of independent Cham polities that extended across the coast of what is contemporary central and southern Vietnam from approximately the 2nd cen ...
.
In the 1980s most of the Bangladeshi commercial films were influenced in film-making, style and presentation by Indian movies, mostly Hindi movies from Maharashtra. But many of the films were original or adaptation from literary works. Some notable original and adapted films include, ''Chhutir Ghonta
''Chhutir Ghonta'' ( bn, ছুটির ঘণ্টা '' When The Bell Rang'') is a 1980 Bangladeshi drama film written and directed by Azizur Rahman. It stars Razzak, Shabana, Sujata and Sumon in the lead.
It is based on the true story of a ...
'' (1980) by Azizur Rahman Azizur Rahman ( ar, عزيز الرحمن ) is a male Muslim given name, meaning ''dear to the Most Gracious''. It may refer to:
* Azizur Rahman (poet) (1917–1978), a Bangladeshi poet and lyricist
* Azizur Rahman Mallick, known as A R Mallick ...
; ''Emiler Goenda Bahini'' (1980) by Badal Rahman; ''Shokhi Tumi Kar'' (1980), ''Akhoni Shomoy'' (1980) by Abdullah Al Mamun; ''Lal Shobujer Pala'' (1980), ''Obichar'' (1985) by Syed Hasan Imam
Syed Hasan Imam (31 August 1871 – 19 April 1933) was an Indian politician who served as the President of the Indian National Congress and was elected in September 1918.Bhat De
''Bhat De'' ( bn, ভাত দে) is a Bangladeshi film, released in 1984. The film was edited, written and directed by Amjad Hossain. The film starred Alamgir, Shabana in the lead roles and co-starred Wasimul Bari Rajib, Anwar Hossain and more ...
'' (1984) by Amjad Hossain; ''Devdas
''Devdas'' ( bn, দেবদাস, transliterated as ''Debdās'') is a Bengali romance novel written by Sarat Chandra Chatterjee. The story pivots a tragic triangle linking Devdas, an archetypal lover in viraha (separation); Paro, his forbidden ...
'' (1982), ''Chandranath'' (1984), ''Shuvoda'' (1987) by Chashi Nazrul Islam
Chashi Nazrul Islam (11 October 1941 – 11 January 2015) was a Bangladeshi film director and producer. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Director twice for the films Shuvoda (1986) and Hangor Nodi Grenade (1997). He was awarded Eku ...
; ''Smriti Tumi Bedona'' (1980) by Dilip Shom; ''Mohona'' (1982), ''Porinita'' (1986) by Alamgir Kabir; ''Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo
''Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo'' ( bn, বড় ভালো লোক ছিল; English: He Was a Good Man) is a 1982 Dhallywood drama film directed by famous journalist and director Mohammad Mohiuddin. This film received National Film Awards in six ca ...
'' (1982) by Mohammad Mohiuddin; ''Puroshkar'' (1983) by C.B Zaman; ''Maan Shomman'' (1983) by A.J Mintu; ''Nazma'' (1983), ''Shokal-Shondha'' (1984), ''Fulshojja'' (1986) by Subhash Dutta
Subhash Dutta (9 February 1930 – 16 November 2012) was a Bangladeshi filmmaker, theater and film actor. He started his career as a commercial artist.
Career
At the beginning of his career, Dutta worked as a film poster artist. He drew posters ...
; ''Rajbari'' (1984) by Kazi Hayat
Kazi Hayat (born 15 February 1947, although in a newspaper Hayat claimed that he was born on 13 April 1948) is a Bangladeshi film director, producer, writer, and actor.
Hayat won Bangladesh National Film Awards eight times - Best Story for ''Day ...
; ''Grihilokkhi'' (1984) by Kamal Ahmed; ''Dahan'' (1986) by Sheikh Niamat Ali
Sheikh Niamat Ali (30 April 1940 – 24 November 2003) was a Bangladeshi film director. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Director in 1979, 1985 and 1995 for all the three feature films he ever made - ''Surja Dighal Bari'', ''Dahan'' ...
; ''Shot Bhai'' (1985) by Abdur Razzak
ʻAbd al-Razzāq (ALA-LC romanization of ar, عبد الرزاق) is a male Muslim given name, and in modern usage, surname. It is built from the Arabic words '' ʻabd'' and ''al-Razzāq'', one of the names of God in the Qur'an, which give rise to ...
; ''Ramer Shumoti'' (1985) by Shahidul Amin
Shahidul Amin ( – 6 August 2017) was a Bangladeshi director, playwright, actor and screenplay writer.
Biography
Amin directed ''Ramer Sumoti'' was released in 1985. He was the screenplay writer of that film too. This film won National Film Awar ...
; ''Rajlokkhi-Srikanto'' (1986) by Bulbul Ahmed
Bulbul Ahmed (born Tabarruk Ahmed; 4 September 1941 – 15 July 2010) was a Bangladeshi actor and director. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor award three times for his roles in the films ''Shimana Periye'' (1977), '' Badhu Bi ...
; ''Harano Shur'' (1987) by Narayan Ghosh Mita
Narayan Ghosh Mita ( bn, নারায়ণ ঘোষ মিতা) is a Bangladeshi writer and film director. He was the first recipient of National Film Award in best director category.
Filmography
See also
* Khan Ataur Rahman
* Satya S ...
; ''Dayi Ke'' (1987) by Aftab Khan Tulu; ''Tolpar'' (1988) by Kabir Anowar and ''Biraj Bou'' (1988) by Mohiuddin Faruk.
The parallel cinema
Parallel cinema, or New Indian Cinema, is a film movement in Indian cinema that originated in the state of West Bengal in the 1950s as an alternative to the mainstream commercial Indian cinema.
Inspired by Italian Neorealism, Parallel Cinema ...
movement was officially started from this decade, though there were many off-track movies were made of different genres from the 60s. But the 80s movies were strictly commercial influenced by Indian Hindi commercial films, so there was a necessity of a realism
Realism, Realistic, or Realists may refer to:
In the arts
*Realism (arts), the general attempt to depict subjects truthfully in different forms of the arts
Arts movements related to realism include:
*Classical Realism
*Literary realism, a move ...
and naturalism cinema movement. The movement was started by Alamgir Kabir. From this movement some intellectual filmmakers came such as, Tanvir Mokammel
Tanvir Mokammel (born 8 March 1955) is a Bangladeshi filmmaker and writer. He is the recipient of Ekushey Padak in 2017. He won Bangladesh National Film Awards total ten times for the films ''Nodir Naam Modhumoti'' (1995), '' Chitra Nodir Pare'' ( ...
, Tareque Masud
Tareque Masud (6 December 1956 – 13 August 2011) was a Bangladeshi independent film director, film producer, screenwriter and lyricist. He first found success with the films ''Muktir Gaan'' (1995) and ''Matir Moina'' (2002), for which he won thr ...
and Morshedul Islam
Morshedul Islam (born 1 December 1958) is a Bangladeshi film director. His notable films include ''Agami'' (1984), ''Chaka'' (1993), ''Dipu Number Two'' (1996), ''Dukhai'' (1997), ''Khelaghor'' (2006), ''Durotto'' (2006) and ''Amar Bondhu Rashed' ...
.
Television
Throughout the 1980s Bangladesh Television
Bangladesh Television ( bn, বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশন), commonly known by its acronym BTV ( bn, বিটিভি), is the state-owned television network of Bangladesh. The network was originally established as the East ...
(BTV) was the only television channel available to the audience in Bangladesh as international TV channel transmission was not allowed by the Government. BTV began colour transmissions in 1980, marking the first official full-time colour broadcasts in South Asia
South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia, which is defined in both geographical and ethno-cultural terms. The region consists of the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.;;;;;;;; ...
. As of 1986, BTV broadcast for 9 hours a weekday and 14 hours on weekends. It usually aired during the evening hours, with special programming on Fridays, national and religious holidays. Fazle Lohani's ''Jodi Kichhu Mone Na Koren'', which started in the late 70s, continued as one of the most popular magazine show of BTV till his death in 1985.[ In this decade Bangladesh Television created several popular television series and stand alone drama shows. Drama serials ''Shokal Shondhya'' gained popularity among the audience as it portrayed the lifestyle of middle class people. Later on two other drama serials named ]Ei Shob Din Ratri
''Eisob Dinratri'' ('' en, All These Days and Nights'') is a 1985 Bangla family-drama written by Humayun Ahmed and aired on BTV. The drama tells the story of a middle class joint family that lives in the capital city Dhaka.
The drama shows the ...
and Bohubrihi
''Bohubrihi'' was one of the most popular drama serials ever aired on Bangladesh Television. The bangla word Bohubrihi means the multiple dimension of anything and here it means the mystery of life. The story was written by famous author, drama ...
, both written by Humayun Ahmed
Humayun Ahmed (; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and professor. His breakthrough was his debut novel ''Nondito Noroke'' published in 1972. He wrote over 200 ...
, became widely popular. Other successful productions included Fodor Dostoyvsky's The Idiot adapted by Abdullah Al Mamun, Mustafa Monwar's version of Rabindranath Tagore's ''Raktokarobi'' and William Shakespeare's
William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
The Taming of the Shrew
''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken ...
.[ Thanks to the popular drama productions, television actors like ]Humayun Faridi
Humayun Kamrul Islam (known as Humayun Faridi; 29 May 1952 – 13 February 2012) was a Bangladeshi actor and drama organiser. He worked in television dramas, movies and theatre plays. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor for his ...
, Afzal Hossain
Afzal Hossain (born 19 July 1954) is a Bangladeshi actor, director, writer and painter.
Early life
Hossain was born in Parulia, Satkhira in erstwhile East Bengal. His father, Ali Ashraf Hossain, was a medical officer. He has one brother Alfaz Ho ...
, Asaduzzaman Nur
Amanullah Mohammad Asaduzzaman (known as Asad; 10 June 1942 – 20 January 1969) was a student activist whose death at the hands of police during a protest on 20 January 1969 "changed the nature of the student-mass movement and ... turned ...
, Abul Hayat
Abul Hayat (born 7 September 1944) is a Bangladeshi actor. He is also a writer, civil engineer and director. He earned Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Daruchini Dwip (2007) and was awarded Ekushey Padak for h ...
, Aly Zaker
Aly Zaker (6 November 1944 – 27 November 2020) was a Bangladeshi actor, businessman, director and writer. He was the owner of Asiatic Marketing Communications Limited (Asiatic 3 Sixty).
Zaker served as a freedom fighter during the 1971 Bangl ...
, Bulbul Ahmed
Bulbul Ahmed (born Tabarruk Ahmed; 4 September 1941 – 15 July 2010) was a Bangladeshi actor and director. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor award three times for his roles in the films ''Shimana Periye'' (1977), '' Badhu Bi ...
, Suborna Mustafa
Suborna Mustafa (born 2 December 1960) is a Bangladeshi television, film and stage actress. She is the current Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Reserved Women's Seat-4 since February 2019. She is a member of Bangladesh Awami League party.
...
, Shampa Reza
Shampa Reza is a Bangladeshi singer, model and actress.
Early life
Reza started singing at the age of four. She studied in Holy Cross School, Dhaka. She went to Shantiniketan to study in Visva-Bharati University in 1976. Her instructor was Guru ...
, Priscilla Parvin, Sara Zaker
Sara Zaker is a Bangladeshi theatre and television actor, director, business entrepreneur and social activist. She was awarded Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh in 2017.
Early life and education
Zaker was born to Major Salauddin M ...
and Afroza Banu, among others, became household names. Mati O Manush
''Mati O Manush'' ( bn, মাটি ও মানুষ), originally called ''Amar Desh'', was a pioneering television programme on Bangladesh Television. The programme started in the mid-1980s and focused on the agricultural sector of Bangladesh ...
was a documentary program on agriculture which debuted in the mid-80s and became both popular and influential. In addition to its own program BTV started to air several foreign television series, such as “ V”, “Dallas
Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...
”, ‘’The Fall Guy
''The Fall Guy'' is an American action/adventure television series produced for ABC and originally broadcast from November 4, 1981, to May 2, 1986. It starred Lee Majors, Douglas Barr, and Heather Thomas as Hollywood stunt performers who moonli ...
’’, ‘’Knight Rider
''Knight Rider'' is an American entertainment franchise created by Glen A. Larson. The core of ''Knight Rider'' is its three television series: the original ''Knight Rider'' (1982–1986) and sequel series ''Team Knight Rider'' (1997–1998) ...
’’, ‘’The A-Team
''The A-Team'' is an American action-adventure television series that ran on NBC from January 1983 to March 1987 about former members of a fictitious United States Army Special Forces unit. The four members of the team were tried by court marti ...
’’, ‘’Manimal
''Manimal'' is an American superhero television series created by Glen A. Larson and Donald R. Boyle, it ran on NBC from September 30 to December 17, 1983. The show centers on the character Jonathan Chase ( Simon MacCorkindale), a shape-shiftin ...
‘’, ‘’ Thundercats’’ and ‘’MacGyver
Angus "Mac" MacGyver is the title character and the protagonist in the TV series ''MacGyver''. He is played by Richard Dean Anderson in the 1985 original series. Lucas Till portrays a younger version of MacGyver in the 2016 reboot.
In both po ...
’’, which became popular with Bangladeshi TV audience.
Sports
The 1980s was a decade of challenges and achievements for Bangladesh sports. The most popular sport in the country was football, which attracted large crowds and media attention. The Dhaka Derby
The Dhaka Derby is a football rivalry between the Dhaka teams of Abahani and Mohammedan, although the rivalry was bigger in the past, it is still considered to be the biggest game in the country's domestic football scene.
Mohammedan was founded ...
was the most significant game in domestic football while the Bangladesh national team also earned international recognition by qualifying for the 1980 AFC Asian Cup
The 1980 AFC Asian Cup was the 7th edition of the men's AFC Asian Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The finals were hosted by Kuwait between 15 and 30 September 1980. The fie ...
, in Kuwait
Kuwait (; ar, الكويت ', or ), officially the State of Kuwait ( ar, دولة الكويت '), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to the nort ...
. In 1985, Bangladesh took part in the 1986 World Cup qualifiers, and were grouped along with India, Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
and Thailand. The country's first ever win at the qualifiers came against Indonesia. Nonetheless, the team finished bottom of the group, behind Thailand on goal difference. In the wake of their first World Cup qualifying campaign, Bangladesh took part in the 1985 South Asian Games
The 1985 South Asian Games (or 2nd SAF Games) were held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 20 December to 26 December 1985.National Sports Council, Nepa"South Asian Games". Retrieved on 16 February 2011
Participating nations
A total of 7 countries part ...
as one of the favorites. The team cruised through the group-stages, claiming their biggest ever win in an 8–0 thrashing of Maldives along the way, but luck was not on their side, as they lost to India on penalties in the final.
Bangladesh gained recognition from International Olympic Committee on 1 January 1980, which opened new opportunities for other sports. One of them was Men's 100m sprint and relay, in which Bangladesh won several gold medals in South Asian Games between 1984 and 1987. Another sport that showed progress was cricket, with the country playing its first ODI match against Pakistan in 1986. Chess also became popular among young people, with Niaz Murshed becoming South Asia's first Grandmaster in 1987. Despite economic hardship and political instability, Bangladesh sports showed resilience and potential in the 1980s.
See also
Years in Bangladesh in the decade of
References
{{Reflist
1980s decade overviews