Selim SH Chowdhury - A silent cultural frontliner
Cultural personality Selim Shamsul Huda Chowdhury is the chief of leading theatre group Padatik Bangladesh, but that is not the only hat he wears. He is also the organising secretary of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote. His creative faculties extend to set and light designs for theatre productions, drawing and painting. A seasoned organiser, he is working away tirelessly in the background for the country's cultural development.
Padatik began its journey on January 21, 1978 with a core team of spirited Dhaka University students. The troupe has produced popular plays like "Shojon Badiar Ghat", "Monoshar Pala", "Maa", Chandraboti", "Shey", "Khetmojur Khoimuddin", "Poramati", "Khyapa Paglar Pyachal" and "Jol Balika".
"We promote original plays based on literary classics and our rich folk heritage. The founding chief of our troupe was SM Solaiman, who had an affinity with our folk culture. That's why our productions reflect on folk traditions," says Chowdhury.
"The spirit of Liberation War shaped our theatre, but it has gone a little stagnant now due to our socio-economic dynamics. Many theatre activists want to be full-time professionals but are constrained by socio-economic considerations. Many throng to TV channels for an alternative career," he adds.
But it's not all gloom and doom. Chowdhury, publication secretary of International Theatre Institute (ITI) Bangladesh Centre, was the editor of the daily bulletin of the Dahaka International Theatre Festival. "We also published a daily bulletin at 33rd ITI world conference held in China in 2011. I feel proud of this achievement as the bulletin created a stir among world theatre activists," recalls Chowdhury.
Padatik Sangeet Sangsad, the musical wing of Padatik, in association with Kolkata-based cultural organisation Mitali, has been arranging a Rabindra Sangeet talent hunt programme for the last 12 years. Young talents from Bangladesh, West Bengal, Assam and Tripura [of India] participate in the competition. "We also hold the Padatik Ekushey Cultural Congress in Dhaka and introduced 'Kachi Smriti Padak' in 2004 in memory of its founder member Abu Mohammad Murtaysh Kachi," says Chowdhury.
As general manager (Production and Events) of The Daily Star, he is also the artistic director of cultural programmes like Star Melodies, organised by the newspaper. He is at the helm of The Daily Star's O- and A-Level Award ceremony programmes for years. He also organised cultural programmes on behalf of The Daily Star by cultural troupes from English medium schools across Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Narayanganj featuring "The Practice of Bangla Culture in English Medium Schools" for the last 16 years.
But there's a long road ahead. "Digital archiving of our culture, history, and heritage is required for Bangladesh. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) regularly publishes monthly Shilpakala bulletin with which I am currently involved with. I have suggested that BSA authorities launch an effective website to preserve our cultural heritage," he adds.
Despite all these responsibilities, Chowdhury holds an important role in his professional life. He started his professional career in The Daily Sangbad in 1983 and switched careers multiple times before settling at The Daily Star in 2000.
Cultural practice is a cornerstone of Chowdhury's family life. His wife Nargis Chowdhury is a Rabindra Sangeet artiste while his son, Maher Sayeed Chowdhury, is a multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and composer, pursuing rock music.
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