People from all quarters paid tributes and condolences for noted lyricist, composer and music director Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul.

The body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka around 11:00am on Wednesday (Jan 22), where hundreds of thousands of people including members of different social and cultural groups paid homage to him with flowers and floral wreaths.

At 11.05am, Bulbul was given a guard of honour on the Shaheed Minar premises.

Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif said, “One cannot forget Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul for the love he showed to the country.”

He testified at the war crimes tribunal, for which his brother was later killed, added the politician and said, “He has the love and respect of the country.”

Artiste Khurshid Alam says, “He had a rare quality and that is to give chance to new talents.”

He was forthright and outspoken, added Khurshid.

Singer Monir Khan said, “The people, land and flag of this country will never forget him.”

Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul died of cardiac arrest in Dhaka in the early hours of Tuesday (Jan 22) at the age of 63.

Since the late 70’s Bulbul actively contributed to the country’s music industry. He is the recipient of highest state honours such as Ekushey Padak, National Film Award and the President Award among many other accolades.

The songs composed by him include "Shob Lota Janala Khule Deo Na", "Shundar Shubarno Tarunyo Labonyo", "Uttar Dakshin Purbo Poshchim", "O Amar Aat Koti Phul", "O Majhi Nao Chhaira De".

In 1971, he participated in the country’s Liberation War at the age of 15.