Acclaimed Musicologist Mustafa Zaman passes away at 87

Simple elegance, profound knowledge, dignity and an undying passion for music & other forms of art are the appalling characteristics of the legend Mustafa Zaman Abbassi. He took his last breath at the age of 87 on 10 May 2025 around 5.30 am and it is reported that he was admitted in the hospital for his prolonged age-related diseases. 

A look back at his journey!

Words become lesser to describe this luminary personality, also it is no surprise that he is excelling in music because he carries that passion for generations as he hails from a family who are deeply rooted in music. His father is a renowned folk singer and known for making the Bengali folk music popular in the international stage. He was born in Cooch Behar (currently in India) and completed his early & college studies in Dhaka. His natural skill of writing creatively with a good flow of content has made him an eminent writer. 

He had served as a Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, President of UNESCO Bangladesh National Committee of Music and also he was in part of many important roles in the art sector. Late notable personality Mustafa led the Folk Music Research Group for five decades and had been part of expanding the collections of thousands of folk songs in Bengali. 

“The songs and research of this multi-dimensional musicologist, born in a renowned musical family of the subcontinent, will create scopes for new thoughts in the cultural arena of Bangladesh” said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. 

It is a remarkable end of an era who has earned an immeasurable laudation for his invaluable contribution to the study and preservation of South Asian Music.