Bangladeshi politicians, performers and people fondly remembered George Harrison at the weekend, with one newspaper lauding him as a "co-freedom fighter" in honour of the benefit concert he organised during the country's independence struggle.
All Dhaka dailies carried pictures of Harrison on their front pages and recalled how his 1971 concert aroused world opinion for Bangladeshis fighting for independence from Pakistan, starving in refugee camps in neighbouring India or suffering abuses from the Pakistani army.
The Bengali language Sangbad daily called Harrison a "co-freedom fighter" in the war, while the mass circulation Ittefaq described him as a "friend in bad times".
Harrison performed his hit song "Bangladesh" at the 1 August, 1971 concert he organised with Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar at New York's Madison Square Garden Hall.
The show raised US$9 million (AU$17.2 million).
Prime Minister Khaleda Ziea said yesterday Harrison "Will be remembered for ever by the people of Bangladesh for his contribution".
"His concert helped in mobilising international opinion in favour of Bangladesh and inspired the freedom loving people of the country," Ms Ziea said.
The Bangladesh Liberation War Museum said it would organise a concert in memory of Harrison on Wednesday and hold a photographic exhibition of the former Beatle.
Opposition Leader Hasina Wajed said Harrison "made a great contribution to the independence of Bangladesh by singing songs on the war of liberation... inspiring the world community and mobilising world opinion in favour of the struggle of the freedom of Bangladesh".
"The nation will remain ever greatful to this great singer and Beatles icon," she said.
Nasiruddin Yousuff, a war veteran and film director, called Harrison "a great man undoubtedly, who could combine his talent and feelings for the downtrodden to raise world consciousness".
Film maker Tarequl Huq Newton said "He was like a path finder for the downtrodden and inspired me as a freedom fighter."