BY NAOL GIRMA
The legendary movie actor Tariku Birhanu (Baba) was born to his father Birhanu Ambaw and his mother Abaynesh Kibret in Addis Ababa in 1984 G.C at a place commonly known as Teklehaymanot Gymnazium .
When he reached school age , he attended his primary and secondary education at Balcha Abanefso Primary School and Addis Ketema Secondary School respectively. Then he went to college to receive a diploma in Leather and Leather Technology.
“During his schooling at leather and leather technology institute, he was charismatic and proved a model student,” his instructors witnessed. During his studies, he was a favorite student of the institute, instructors and experts of the institute testify.
Pertaining to his career path art, Birhanu responded to his call of life at Abeboch Theatre Club. In order to let his beginning flourish and catapult him to heights of fame, he sat at the feet of the mentor of emerging artists the seasoned Artist Tesfaye Abebe (Father). He started the ABC’s of theatre and film there .He also took theatre courses at different times to help him succeed. As a member of Saint Michael Sunday School in Tserah Tsion Golahe also acted where he made fulltime spiritual films.
He acted in a theatre entitled Baitewar at Abeboch Theatre Club and demonstrated his abilities in various art events. At Kundi Theatre he acted in movie called Laundry Boy, which proved a harbinger to a successful career journey.
His film journey started with Laundry Boy, Yefikir ABCD, and various films of our country. These as a spur he acted in more than sixty films that are very popular especially among the youth .Some of his works included: 300 shi, Asnekign, balageru, Blatena, Bole Manekia, endebalnena mist, Enginerochu, Eyorica, Gudayu, hagershhagere, hiwotekebadmizan, fikirfacebook, kekan belay, kokebachin, mognu ye aradalij, tidarnfilega, wofekomech. Wotoader, wotat be 97 and other movies.
The Artist Tariku Birhanu (nicknamed Baba by his friends) Tariku Birhanu (Baba) who outshined in the aforementioned works, was decorated with different awards. For instance he was awarded as the best actor of the year by Sheger FM 102.1 and was nominated for an award at the Guma Award International Film Festival.
Apart from his artistic life, the actor was known for his humanity and generosity in his varied social life. Tariku was also an advocator of the work of the Eye Bank of Ethiopia – an institution that works to reverse corneal blindness in the country through the collection and processing of donor corneas.
The institution said that a person used to do something different in life, but Tariku has shown us what is true in practice. It was saddened to hear the death of the prominent actor Tariku Birhanu. Artist Tariku Birhanu cut in the flower of his manhood at age 38, He is survived by a son.
Prior to the funeral ceremony artists, his fans, celebrities and dignitaries gathered at National Theatre here in Addis Ababa to bid a farewell to the late Artist Tariku Birhanu. Senior officials, religious leaders, senior and young artists, relatives and fans of the legendary artists expressed their respect at the theatre with tears .
The Ethiopian Herald December 15 /2022
