Aly Zaker announces return to theatre

Renowned cultural personality and veteran thespian Aly Zaker announced his comeback to theatre, at the celebration of his 70th birthday on Thursday evening. To mark his birthday, Nagorik Natya Sampradaya arranged a programme titled “Alor Pothojatri… Aky Zaker Soptotitomo Jonmodin” at the National Music and Dance Centre Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on November 6.

The programme featured dance, music, photography exhibition, and screening of a documentary on Aly Zaker. Members of Nagorik Natya Sampradaya and friends and family members of the thespian wished him good health and paid him floral tributes.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor conducted the programme, while Cultural Affairs Secretary Ranjit Kumar Biswas was present there.

ITI World President, Ramendu Majumdar; Sammilito Sangskritik Jote President Golam Kuddus and General Secretary Hasan Arif; BGTF Chairman Liaquat Ali Lucky; theatre personalities Jhuna Chowdhury, Ataur Rahman, Lucky Inam, Aktaruzzaman and others conveyed their wishes on behalf their respective organisations.

Later, Ramendu Majumdar, Abul Hayat, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star -- Mahfuz Anam, eminent journalist Abed Khan, Nasiruddin Yousuff, Mamunur Rashid, Afsana Mimi and Bipasha Hayat spoke on the life and works of Aly Zaker and recounted their memories with the actor.

Then, Rezwana Chowdhury Bonnya came up on the stage with her mellifluous rendition of Rabindra Sangeet, followed by Sharmila Bannerjee and Tamanna Rahman's dance performances.

The actor reminisced on the past of theatre movement that began following the Liberation War, while also announcing his comeback to theatre.

He thanked the organisers and guests and expressed his gratitude for such a wonderful programme. Aly Zaker called on young theatre activists to focus more on telling stories through theatre besides physical acting, so that audience can feel that they have heard a great story.