Piklu’s sudden and strange departure
Minhaj Ahmed Piklu, a name etched in the annals of Bangladeshi rock music, passed away in a manner as remarkable as the music he created.
The 52-year-old guitarist, once the lead shredder for the legendary band Arthohin, collapsed during a jam session at a guitar school event in Rampura, Dhaka. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, marking the end of an extraordinary musical journey.
It was Friday evening, December 20, when Piklu, despite years of battling heart ailments, picked up his guitar one last time. He played for a while, then sat down, feeling unwell. Moments later, he collapsed into his chair, his life concluding as abruptly as the staccato notes of a solo.
A musical legacy
Piklu’s name resonates through Bangladesh’s band music scene, especially for fans of Arthohin. His mastery brought life to hits like “Adbhut Sey Chheleti,” “Surya,” “Rater Train,” “Guti,” and “Nirbodh.” A lead guitarist in bands such as Rockstrata, Jolly Rogers, Maqsud O Dhaka, and finally Arthohin, Piklu was instrumental in shaping the soundtracks of a generation.
Piklu played a significant role in Arthohin’s seminal albums, including Trimatrik, Bivartan, and Dhrub. His journey in music was nurtured by the late musician Niloy Das, under whose mentorship Piklu honed his craft.
Final farewell
On Saturday, December 21, after the Zohr prayer, Piklu’s body was laid to rest at Azimpur Graveyard. His Janaza was held at the Taqwa Mosque in Dhanmondi, attended by family, friends, and a host of musicians who had admired and been inspired by him.
His close friend, Sipar Altamus, reflected on the tragic incident, saying, “Piklu had been unwell for some time, dealing with heart problems. He even had to be hospitalised earlier this year. Despite this, his love for music never faded.”
Tributes pour in
The music community is in mourning, with tributes pouring in from peers and protégés alike. Guitarist Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal, singer Elita Karim, and multi-instrumentalist Rafa shared heartfelt messages about Piklu’s legacy.
Rafa, who saw Piklu as his first mentor, posted an emotional tribute on social media: “Piklu bhai believed in me before anyone else. He taught me not only how to play the guitar but also how to feel the music. On stage, he had a way of making me feel at ease. He’d crack jokes mid-performance, easing my nerves. Piklu bhai shaped my musical journey and that of so many others.”
He added, “Piklu was one of the most talented guitarists this country has ever seen. Songs like Guti and Adbhut Sey Chheleti are not just tracks; they’re anthems that defined a generation. Today, we lost a hero.”
A hero’s curtain call
Piklu’s death has left an indelible mark on the Bangladeshi music scene. His life, like his solos, was a blend of passion and unpredictability. Though his departure was sudden, his melodies remain immortal, resonating with every strum and every chord played by those he inspired.
In Piklu, Bangladesh didn’t just lose a guitarist. It lost a storyteller, a mentor, and an irreplaceable part of its musical history.
