Mustafa Monwar: The ‘Puppet Man’ who made childhood magical

The country has lost one of its most influential cultural icons with the demise of Mustafa Monwar. The renowned artist, television personality and pioneer of puppetry Mustafa Monwar passed away on Monday after a prolonged battle with pneumonia and prostate cancer. His death has cast a deep shadow over the country’s cultural landscape, prompting an outpouring of grief from artists, admirers and generations who grew up with his timeless creations.

Popularly known as the “Puppet Man of Bangladesh,” Mustafa Monwar was much more than a painter. He was a visionary who transformed puppetry into a powerful educational and entertainment medium through television. By giving life and voice to puppets, he sparked children’s imagination and introduced generations of young viewers to stories filled with creativity, values and joy.

Although he studied fine arts and began his career as a teacher at Dhaka Art College after graduating from Calcutta Art College, Mustafa Monwar found his true calling in television. Inspired by the traditional puppet performances of rural Bengal that fascinated him during childhood, he pioneered modern puppetry in Bangladesh. Through his dedication, puppetry evolved from a folk tradition into an engaging platform for storytelling and education, earning him countless admirers across the country.

Born on 1 September 1935, Mustafa Monwar was the son of noted poet Golam Mustafa. His passion for art and music developed at an early age. As a ninth-grade student, he actively participated in the Language Movement and was even jailed for drawing protest art. He also played a significant role in designing the iconic red sun motif of the Central Shaheed Minar, a lasting symbol of the Language Movement.  

Throughout his remarkable career, Monwar created some of Bangladesh’s most beloved characters and programmes. His memorable creation “Parul” became a household name, while his involvement in “Meena” helped promote children’s rights and social awareness across South Asia. He also played a leading role in producing “Notun Kuri,” one of Bangladesh’s most successful television programmes for nurturing young talent. Another of his acclaimed productions, “Moner Kotha,” earned widespread appreciation for its creativity and meaningful content.

Among his greatest achievements was his contribution to “Sisimpur,” the Bangladeshi adaptation of the globally acclaimed children’s programme “Sesame Street.” As Chief Creative Adviser, Mustafa Monwar ensured that “Sisimpur” reflected the language, culture, traditions and everyday experiences of Bangladeshi children rather than simply replicating its international counterpart. Under his guidance, the programme became a pioneering example of learning through entertainment and has continued to inspire young audience since its launch in 2005.

Mustafa Monwar’s passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Bangladesh’s cultural history. Yet his legacy remains deeply woven into the nation’s artistic and educational heritage. Through unforgettable creations such as “Parul,” “Baul,” “Moner Kotha,” “Notun Kuri” and “Sisimpur,” he enriched countless childhoods and inspired generations to dream, imagine and create.

While the country mourns the loss of this multidimensional creative genius, his contributions will continue to illuminate Bangladesh’s cultural journey. The smiles he brought to children’s faces and the values he instilled through art and storytelling will ensure that Mustafa Monwar lives on in the hearts of generations to come.