On this day, Gurukul Campus Learning Network (GCLN) pays heartfelt tribute to the eminent Bangladeshi theatre actor, director, and cultural organiser Jamaluddin Hossain, who passed away on 11 October 2024 at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary, Canada. Born on 10 October 1943, he remains a revered name in the world of Bangladeshi theatre and performing arts — a man who dedicated his entire life to enriching the cultural and artistic landscape of the nation.
Jamaluddin Hossain was an alumnus of Chittagong College and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), where he studied alongside noted actor Abul Hayat. Despite his engineering background, his heart was drawn towards the stage, where he discovered his true calling in the realm of art and theatre.
In 1975, he joined the pioneering theatre troupe Nagarik Natya Sampradaya, which played a transformative role in the modern theatre movement of Bangladesh. Over the next two decades, he became one of the key figures of the organisation. In 1997, he founded his own theatre group, Nagarik Nattyangan Ensemble, and served as its General Secretary until his passing. Alongside, he was also a Presidium Member of the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Television and Radio Artists’ Association.
Among his many acclaimed stage productions are “Khachar Bhetor Ochin Pakhi,” “Raja Rani,” “Chand Baniker Pala,” “Ami Noi,” “Bibi Saheb,” and “Jugalbandi.” These plays not only touched audiences deeply but also enriched the nation’s theatrical heritage with their artistry and social insight.
For his outstanding contribution to the performing arts, Jamaluddin Hossain was honoured with the Ekushey Padak in 2013 by the Government of Bangladesh — one of the country’s highest civilian awards, marking national recognition of his lifelong dedication to the arts.
In his personal life, Jamaluddin Hossain married fellow actor Rowshan Ara Hossain in 1975, whom he met during their shared journey at Nagarik Natya Sampradaya. Their son, Tafsin Hossain Tapu, is now an Associate Professor of Economics at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.
Jamaluddin Hossain was not merely an actor or director — he was a visionary theatre personality, a cultural leader, and a humanist who believed that theatre was not just a form of entertainment but a medium for social transformation. His creative works reflected this conviction, combining aesthetic excellence with deep social awareness.
On his birth anniversary, Gurukul Campus Learning Network (GCLN) remembers and honours this towering figure of Bangladeshi theatre. We pray for the eternal peace of his soul and reaffirm our belief that his artistic vision and ideals will continue to inspire generations of theatre practitioners and cultural workers in Bangladesh and beyond.
