Larger than the shadow the man himself cast behind him, Mustafa Kamal Sayed is a lovable person in our media since his introduction to all together new medium in the sub-continent in mid sixties of the kast decade - Television. When she skyline of the then Dacca, now Dhaka, took a new look with the sparkling red light at the peak of the TV Antenna on top of a high rise building, Mustafa Kamal Sayed was there. Little did he know that with the passage of time, he will contribute so much of the advancement of the media shoulder to shoulder with others, then branded by many as 'idiot's box'.
As he will look back at the twilight of his career, Mustafa Kamal Sayed will surely like to take some satisfaction, though his modesty might ask him not to do, at what he has left behind.
From the beginning of his career as a younger producer Mustafa Kamal Sayed proved his sincerety. Though he is not as prolific as he could be, he is none the less very productive and innovative. His dramas, musical programmes are landmarks of our TV productions.
One great aspect of the man behind the scene, is his remaining so. Very little of this genre of people can avoid the lure of the effervescent light!
Mustafa Kamal Sayed and TV in Bangladesh are almost synonymous. Both have grown near at par, hand in hand. In the subcontinent, TV was then a taboo and our part of the world got it ahead of others in the region and Sayed can look back with pride at what he has done with others as one of its founders. This fact itself is sufficient to put a man in niche of history.
Mustafa Kamal Sayed believes in quaility, not in quantity. His contributions will transcend beyond posterity, believe those related with art and culture and will be source of inspiration for those now in the fray and for those coming in future.
[Written by - Fakhruzzaman Chowdhury, a critic and a former government official now solely devoted to writing both in Bangla and English. Also the recipient of most coveted Bangla Academy literary award of the country.]
Educational and Service Background
His name is Mustafa Kamal Sayed, a graduate of Dhaka University. In 1967, he joined erstwhile Pakistan Television Corporation in Dhaka as a Producer. During his long career in television, he served in various capacities as Program Executive, Program Manager, General Manager, Director International Relations and Deputy Director General (program). He retired from Bangladesh Television on 14 January 2004 and joined private satellite channel NTV (International Television Channel Limited) as chief of program. He is also an established voice caster for National Radio and Television and director of TV and radio plays.
Training Abroad
- Attended TV Producers Training and Certificate Course in the Central TV Institute in Rawalpindi, Pakistan in 1966.
- Attended Television Training Course in Federal Republic of Germany in 1969.
- Attended Broadcasting Management Course held in Japan in 1979.
- Attended Media Management Training Course held in Australia in 1981.
Travel Abroad (Professional)
- Attended as special representative from Bangladesh Television to cover 8th Asia Games held in Bangkok, Thailand in 1978.
- Attended the 7th International Public Television Screening Conference INPUT 84 in Charleston, South Carolina, USA in 1984.
- Participated as a media personnel, in the 25th Anniversary of the Reign of his Majesty King Hasaan II of Morocco in 1986.
- Attended ABU General Assembly Istanbul Turkey in 1986.
- Attended a Multi-Regional International Visitor Project "Television Broadcasting" held in the United States in 1987.
- Attended SAVE (SAARC Audio Visual Exchange) meeting held in Male, Maldives in 1991, Katmandu, Nepal in 1992, twice in Islamabad, Pakistan in 1994, and Sri Lanka in 1996.
- Visited Canadian Open Learning Institutions in Canada in 1993.
- Attended World Summit on Television and Children in Melbourne, Australia in 1995.
- Attended NTV Cultural Program in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates in 2008.
Travel Abroad (Private)
- Private visit to the United States in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016.
- Private visit to the Singapore in 2012 to attend Channel i award ceremony.
- Private visit to Canada in 2001, 2006, 2010 and 2015.
- Private visit to Bangkok, Thailand in 2000.
- Performed Umrah and Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 1995.
Awards and Achievements
- Recipient of National Award for the Best Music Producer of Television in 1975.
- Recipient of Bangladesh Film Journalist Association Award for the Best TV Drama Production "Kul Nai Kinar Nai" in 1985. This play was telecast in 4 May 1988 from Japan NHK's 3-CH Network and has earned high appreciation. It was also telecast from CCTV in China.
- Recipient of Nattoya Shava Award for the Best TV Drama Production "Bandhu Amar" in 1988.
- Recipient of Sher-E-Bangla Sriti Award for his contribution in the field of TV Drama in 1988.
- Recipient of Tenasinas Drama Award in 1994.
- Recipient of the Mother and Children Clun (MMC) "World Health Day Awards in 1990 for the contribution to the field of TV Drama.
- Served as the International Jury for the 1986 ABU Prize Competition (TV Program) held in Istanbul, Turkey in 1986.
Biographical Listings
- Men of Achievement (15th edition, published in England).
- Who's Who in the World (10th and 11th edition published in the United States).
NTV - 2005
NTV second anniversary grand celebration...[Click here to watch]
Voice of America - 19 May 2006
Mustafa Kamal Sayed Speaks About Private Television Channels in Bangladesh - After working at the state-run Bangladesh television, Mustafa Kamal Sayed retired in 2004 and joined private satellite channel NTV as chief of programs...[Click here for audio]
The Daily Star - 12 January 2007
Revolution Television - At the end of the day, the issues, the programmes, are similar. It’s how they are presented, in a new style, new angle, that makes all the difference...[Click here to read PDF] [Click here to read Website]
The Daily Star - 23 August 2008
The ever-changing TV industry, In conversation with Mustafa Kamal Sayed - He is one of the most experienced TV officials in the country. Joining the then Pakistan TV's Dhaka wing as a producer in 1967, Mustafa Kamal Sayed had Mustafizur Rahman, the late Abdullah Yusuf Imam and Badrunnesa Abdullah as his colleagues. Throughout his career, he has worked as a Programme Manager; General Manager; Director, International Relations and Deputy Director General, Programme. In 2004 he retired from BTV and joined satellite TV channel ntv as its Chief of Programme. The media personality recently shared his views on gradual changes in the TV industry and more with The Daily Star...[Click here to read PDF] [Click here to read Website]
টিভি গাইড - September 2008
আমরা চেষ্টা করছি আমাদের প্রচারিত নাটকে যেন আধুনিকতার ছোঁয়া থাকে...[Click here to read]
Voice of America - 29 April 2010
Mustafa Kamal Sayed, Chief of Program, NTV Speaks About His Career, Trends in TV Programming - In an interview with Bangla Service, he spoke about programming trends in Bangladesh and also programs in dish channels including NTV which is broadcast all over the world...[Click here to Listen] [Click here for Website]
আমার দেশ - 30 December 2009
তারুন্যের ১ বছর - প্রযুক্তিগত উৎকষতা দিন দিন বাড়ছে এবং যুক্ত হচ্ছে সম্প্রচারের নতুন মাত্রা। আমাদের দৈনন্দিন জীবনে যার...[Click here to read]
আনন্দধারা - May 2009
সব সময় চ্যালেঞ্জ গ্রহন করতে ভালোবাসি - তাকে একজন সাংস্কৃতিক দূত বলা যায় নিঃসন্দেহে। তিনি মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দ।...[Click here to read page 1] [page 2] [page 3] [page 4] [page 5] [page 6]
আনন্দধারা (ঈদ আড্ডা)- September 2009
ধীরে ধীরে টিভি চ্যানেল বিজনেসম্যানের হাতে চলে যায়...[Click here to read page 1] [page 2] [page 3] [page 4] [page 5] [page 6]
আয়না - 2011
রুচিশীল বিনোদনের প্রতি আগ্রহ বাড়াতে হবে, রুচিহীন নয় - মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দ।...[Click here to read page 1] [page 2]
কালের কন্ঠ - 9 February 2012
সিদ্দিকা কবির'স রেসিপি নেপথ্যের গল্প...[Click here to read PDF]
আমার দেশ - 22 February 2012
হুমায়ুন ফরীদি আমাদের অহঙ্কার - হঠাত্ বেতার তরঙ্গে ধ্বনিত হলো হুমায়ুন ফরীদি আর নেই। কিছু মুহূর্তের জন্য বিমূঢ় হয়ে গেলাম। ...[Click here to read PDF]
আনন্দ আলো - August 2012
হুমায়ুন আহমেদ: আমার প্রিয় মানুষ...[Click here to read page 1] [page 2]
আমার দেশ - 9 October 2012
আতাউস সামাদ একটি নাম যার বিশেষ কোনো পরিচয় লাগে না...[Click here to read page 1] [page 2]
আনন্দআলো - 16 October 2012
সিঙ্গাপুর উদ্ভাসিত বাংলাদেশ...[Click here to read]
আনন্দআলো - 16 March 2013
চলে গেলেন আমাদের খোকা ভাই...[Click here to read]
আমাদের সময় - 30 May 2014
আমাদের প্রথম লক্ষই থাকে তারুণ্য...[Click here to read]
আনন্দআলো - 1 December 2014
মিডিয়ার শেখড় হচ্ছে বিটিভি...[Click here to read]
The Daily Star - 04 July 2015
TELEVISION OF A LIFETIME - One Man Show by Faridur Reza Sagor...[Click here to read PDF] [Click here to read Website]
The Daily Star - 25 July 2015
TELEVISION OF A LIFETIME - Moving Forwards by Faridur Reza Sagor...[Click here to read PDF] [Click here to read Website]
আনন্দআলো - 1 February 2016
সুরের রাজা খন্দকার নুরুল আলম...[Click here to read]
সাপ্তাহিক - 23 November 2017
আনন্দ-বেদনার সৃতি...[Click here to read page 1] [page 2]
আনন্দআলো - 16 February 2017
টেলিভিশন নাটকের মান উন্নয়ন না অবনমন?...[Click here to read page 1] [page 2]
The Daily Star - 13 October 2017
টাকা-পয়সার দিকে কোনো দিন তাকাইনি...[Click here to read PDF] [Click here to read Website]
আনন্দআলো - 16-31 December 2017
সৃতিতে আনিসুল হক...[Click here to read]
Dhaka Tribune - 04 February 2018
Fresh's valentine day special...[Click here to read PDF] [Click here to read Website]
NTV Online - 25 February 2019
NTV to broadcast Japanese animation series Chibi Maruko Chan...[Click here to read PDF] [Click here to read Website]
The Financial Express - 12 November 2019
Singer partners with NTV for 'Family and Fun' show...[Click here to read PDF] [Click here to read Website]
Some Facebook Posts - 31 May 2020
In Memory of Mustafa Kamal Sayed...[Click to read PDF]
Obituries from Newspapers - 01 June 2020
Daily Star: Renowned television personality Mustafa Kamal Syed passed away...[Click to read]
New Age: NTV programme head Mustafa Kamal dies of COVID-19...[Click to read]
Financial Express: BTV chief Mustafa Kamal Syed dies from COVID-19...[Click to read]
Daily Sun: NTV journo Mustafa Kamal dies of corona...[Click to read]
NTV 4-Day Special Program Tumi Robe Nirobe - June 2020
1 June with Asaduzzaman Noor, Mohammad Barkatullah, Keramat Mowla, Afsana Mimi, Fatema Tuz Zohra, Nasiruddin Yousuf Bachchu, Salauddin Lavlu, Tareen Jahan, Rafiqul Alam, Abida Sultana)...[Click to watch]
2 June with NTV Chairman Mosaddek Ali and NTV colleagues and friends)...[Click to watch]
3 June with Shomi Kaiser, Ferdous Hasan, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Sumaiya Shimu, Chayanika Chowdhury, Ejaz Munna, Arif Khan...[Click to watch]
4 June with Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin, Samina Chowdhury, Abul Hayat, Ramendu Majumdar, Kabirul Islam Ratan, Syed Abdul Hadi, Khurshid Alam...[Click to watch]
Channel i - 01 June 2020
Special Program for Mustafa Kamal Sayed with Shykh Seraj, Shuvro Dev, Afzal Hossain, Ali Imam...[Click to watch]
Prothom Alo English - 01 June 2020
নীতিতে অটল, মিতভাষী, পরিপূর্ণ ভদ্রলোক_প্রথম আলো - সুবর্ণা মুস্তাফা...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
বাংলা ট্রিবিউন - 01 June 2020
শক্ত দেয়ালের মতো পেছন থেকে সাহস দিয়েছেন বলেই - তারিন জাহান...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Bangla Insider - 01 June 2020
টিভিতে আজান পরবর্তী দোয়ার বাংলা কণ্ঠেও বেঁচে থাকবেন মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দ...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Prothom Alo Bangla - 02 June 2020
তিনি ছিলেন সবার স্বজন - কামরুননেসা হাসান...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
ঢাকা টাইম্স - 02 June 2020
তুমি রবে সরবে - পাভেল ইসলাম...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Kaler Kantho Bangla - 03 June 2020
আড়ালে থাকতেই পছন্দ করতেন - আসাদুজ্জামান নূর...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Sara Bangla - 03 June 2020
আমার শিক্ষক মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দ - পঙ্কজ বনিক...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Director's Guild - #অনুপ্রেরণায়_প্রিয়জন।#ডিরেক্টরসগিল্ডের আয়োজন - June 2020
3 June (পর্ব -১) with Abdun Noor Tushar, Afzal Hossain, Syed Hasan Imam, SI Tutul, Abul Hayat, Samina Chowdhury...[Click to watch]
6 June (পর্ব -২) with Khairul Alam Shabuj, Masum Reza, Ferdous Hasan, Mamunur Rashid, Bappa Mazumder...[Click to watch]
8 June (পর্ব -৩) with Kaushik Shankar Das, Animesh Aich, Ejaz Munna, Sohel Arman, Golam Sohrab Dodul, Shihab Shaheen, Dipankar Dipon...[Click to watch]
Prothom Alo Bangla - 04 June 2020
একজন ভালো মানুষের সংজ্ঞা মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দ - আবুল হায়াত...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Shukhobor Toronto - 04 June 2020
আস্থা বিনির্মাণের কেন্দ্রবিন্দুতে ছিলেন মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দ - রিয়াজ মাহমুদ...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Daily Ittefaq Bangla - 05 June 2020
তিনি জানতেন কোথায় কখন কাকে কী করাতে হবে — শমী কায়সার...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
The Daily Star - 06 June 2020
The glorious journey of Mustafa Kamal Syed, A tribute to the legend - Sharmin Joya...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
ঢাকা টাইম্স - 7 June 2020
তুমি রবে সরবে, পর্ব ০২ - পাভেল ইসলাম...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Bangladesh Pratidin Bangla - 9 June 2020
স্মৃতির পাতায় মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দ - হানিফ সংকেত...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Dhaka Courier - 12 June 2020
The ‘Midas Touch’ of Mustafa Kamal Sayed - Mabrur Rashid Bannah...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
BPA Broadcast Producers Association - 16 June 2020
স্মৃতিচারণেঃ মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দ with Kha Ma Harun, Faria Hossain, Anisur Rahman Milon, Moutushi Biswas, Shihab Shaheen, Alfred Khokon...[Click to watch]
Janakantha Bangla - 18 June 2020
টেলিভশন শিল্পের আলোর দিশারী - সাইফুর রহমান ওসমানী জিতু...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Channel i Online - 18 June 2020
মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দ: পর্দার নেপথ্যে বরেণ্য মানুষ by মাশরুর শাকিল...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
Khabor.com - 19 June 2020
বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশনের শিল্পের আলোর দিশারী মোস্তফা কামাল সৈয়দের মহাপ্রয়ান - সাইফুর রহমান ওসমানী জিতু...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
ঢাকা টাইম্স - 26 June 2020
তুমি রবে সরবে, পর্ব ০৩ - পাভেল ইসলাম...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
ঢাকা টাইম্স - 1 July 2020
তুমি রবে সরবে, পর্ব ০৪ - পাভেল ইসলাম...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]
United News of Bangladesh (UNB) - 27 July 2020
Year of the Pandemic: When the stars fell out of the sky...[Click to read PDF] [Click to read Website]