Ishrat Nishat is no more

Ishrat Nishat, a familiar face in Bangladesh's theatre scene, is no more. She passed away around 11.30pm on Sunday at her sister’s Gulshan residence from a cardiac arrest. She was 56 years old.

Throughout her extraordinary career, she was intensely involved with Desh Natok theatre troupe. Her direction of Arokkhita, a prodouction of Desh Natok, was greatly appreciated. She also played an important role in Nasiruddin Yousuff's much talked about film Alpha.

Ishrat Nishat was a voice to be reckoned with owing to her formidable presence on stage. She was seen at the Shilpakala Academy almost every day. She never faltered in voicing her support for the progressive cultural movement in Bangladesh.

The daughter of the late acclaimed actor Najma Anwar, Ishrat Nishat was widely known as the "dissenting voice" of Dhaka-based theatre.

Her body was taken for a viewing yesterday to the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segun Bagicha.