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

Bachsas Awards Bachsas ( Bangladesh Cholochitra Sangbadik Samity) Awards was introduced in 1972 to encourage the fledgling film industry of the country. Bangladesh Cholochchitra Shangbadik Samity (Bangladesh Cine-Journalists' Association) gave out their most p ...

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

Early life and education

Barkatullah was a student of Gazi Alimuddin Mannan at the age of 4. She earned her masters in sociology from the

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 ...

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 Dhaka ( or ; bn, ঢাকা, Ḍhākā, ), formerly known as Dacca, is the capital and largest city of Ban ...

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

Jamalpur District Jamalpur ( bn, জামালপুর জেলা, ''Jamalpur Jela'' also ''Jamalpur Zila'') is a district in Bangladesh, part of the Mymensingh Division. It was established in 1978. Geography Jamalpur occupies 2031.98 km2. It is locat ...

Career

Barkatullah worked as one of the directors of

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy ( bn, শিল্পকলা একাডেমি; National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts) is the principal state-sponsored national cultural center of Bangladesh. History It is the national academy of f ...

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 ( bn, একুশে পদক; lit. "Twentyfirst Award") is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contribut ...

, 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 fa ...

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