Country's most gallant musician remembered in a book

Many freedom fighters have been able to become cultural personalities today because of the sacrifice composer Altaf Mahmud made during the Liberation War, said some war heroes at a book launching ceremony yesterday.

"My brothers and I are alive today because he (Altaf) decided that he would rather be tortured to death than tell the Pakistan occupation army that we were freedom fighters," said Dinu Billah as he narrated an incident in 1971 when he, his brothers and Altaf were captured by the Pakistani army.

"Altaf said he was the only freedom fighter among us and denied our involvement in the war," Dinu said at the launching ceremony of his biography on Altaf Mahmud.    

The book titled "Shurer Borputro" (the blessed son of music) was launched on Altaf's birthday on the Liberation War Museum premises.

The composer of "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano", a song that is an integral part of commemorating the Language Movement, Altaf touched the lives of many through his artistic talent rooted in his politics, said Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor.

"A hundred years from now, even if Bangladesh ceases to exist, I think the song 'Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano' would be sung by a Bangali," said film director Nasiruddin Yousuff.       

Singer and theatre personality Shimul Yousuff sang some songs composed by Altaf.