Dancer, actress Zinnat Barkatullah in ‘critical condition’
Dancer and actress Zinnat Barkatullah has been moved to the Intensive Attention Unit of a private medical center in Dhaka after falling “critically ill”.
She was admitted to the hospital on December 22, Minu Haque, president of Bangladesh Dancers Connection, said on Saturday.
“She actually is in a crucial status,” she said, citing Zinnat’s actress daughter Bijori Barkatullah, accounts bdnews24.com.
Bijori in a Facebook post said Zinnat was placed on artificial ventilation.
Zinnat’s dancer husband Mohammad Barkatullah died on August 3 this season of coronavirus.
Zinnat had also caught COVID-19 at that time, but later tested negative.
After starting her career in dance in the 70s, she enjoyed a leading role in the cultural movement in post-Liberation War Bangladesh.
She was students of boogie maestro Gazi Alimuddin Mannan at age 4. She also learnt boogie at the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts or BAFA.
She learnt Indian classical party forms Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Manipuri but chose folk party finally. Kajori Barkatullah is her other daughter.
Zinnat joined the Performing Arts Academy of Dhaka School after completing graduation from the Team of Friendly Welfare.
She performed regularly on TV during the post-independence period while producers like Amanul Haque, Laila Hasan, Rahija Khanam Jhunu and Barkat Ullah were producing various dance dramas.
Later, she joined as a creation director of music and boogie drama at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy where she served for 27 years.
Zinnat’s acting job began with the TV play “Maria Amar Maria” in 1980. Her using skirt and trousers in the theatre created a storm of criticism one of the conservatives at that time.
She was also area of the ensemble of TV soup operas “Ghore Baire”, “Osthai Nibas”, “Boro Bari”, and “Kotha Bola Moyna”, among others.
The artist can be an advisor to Bangladesh Dancers Association, Nrityanchal and Bangabandhu Shishu Kishore Mela.
