On the afternoon of November 24,1 visited a book fair arranged by The Daily Prothom Alo, at the Public Library. 1 purchased a book of rhymes Tohar Sathe Rang Rekhate" by Qayyum Chowdhury. Later, 1 entered the seminar room where Prothom Alo had arranged the publication ceremony of 'Amar Bela Je Jaye*, an autobiography by late journalist ABM Musa. There; 1 encountered Dr. Anisuzzaman, Qayyum Chowdhury, Syed Abul Maksud and Editor of Prothom Alo, Matiur Rahman.

On seeing Qayyum bhai, 1 requested him to write a few words for my granddaughter Nuzhat Nusaiba in his book. Qayyum bhai told me, 'Don't you want the autograph of the painter of the book?* I was a bit taken aback. 1 asked him who he was referring to. Qayyum Bhai pointed to a five-year old child, seated beside him -- none other than his grandson Atanu. Qayyum Bhai told the young boy, "This is your

Chacha; sign an autograph for him.* Little Atanu bashfully signed the book just under his grandfather's autograph. It was a memorable moment. 1 took a photograph of dear Atanu with Qayyum Bhai.

I used to regularly engage Qayyum Bhai in long conversations at Cazi Shahabuddin's Sachitra Sandhani office at Purana Pal tan. When we visited New Delhi, Kolkata and Jaipur in 1983 to perform Mir Mosharraf Hossain's "lamidar Darpan" on the invitation of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations as state guests, Qayyum Bhai painted the poster of the play which won wide acclaim in Bangladesh and India.

We have lost one of the brightest sons of our soul. We will cherish his memory. May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace.