Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation dedicates 40th anniversary celebrations to Aly Zaker
Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation started its journey on November 29, 1980. Today marks the 40th birth anniversary of this central theatre organisation.
The organisation is celebrating the day with an illustrious programme at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, today. The celebration is dedicated to the memory of recently deceased thespian, Aly Zaker.
"Aly Zaker's contribution to the theatre is invaluable and his love for the theatre was one of a kind," shares Kamal Bayezid, Secretary of Bangladesh Group Theater Federation. "We decided to dedicate our anniversary celebrations to this legendary theatre persona."
With a total of 386 members, the organisation has the mandate to safeguard the professional interest of theatre troupes and activists while creating opportunities for them, develop the local theatre scene, free theatre from bureaucratic control, take active steps to establish theatre stages in different parts of the country, arrange workshops at national and international levels and arrange national drama festivals and adopt welfare programmes for people associated with theatre.
The programme will officially with a balloon release at the Shilpakala Academy premises, followed by a moment of silence to remember the lost souls of the theatre.
Sharok Sommanona will be given to former honorary members of the federation, including former secretary and chairman. Ramendu Majumdar, Mamunur Rashid, Ataur Rahman, Nasiruddin Yousuff, Sara Zaker and M Hamid will receive the award as former chairpersons, while Jhuna Chowdhury, Aktaruzzaman and S M Solaiman will receive the honor as former secretary.
"40 years is a long time, there are both success stories and failure, though I believe the success stories outweigh the failures," shares Ramendu Majumdar, looking back at the federation's successful years. Ramendu Majumdar has served as the President of The International Theatre Institute for six years and now he is serving as the Honorary President of the institution.
"When I was chairman, I gave my best to take this organisation further and we have come a long way in the development of stage plays," shares thespian Mamumur Rashid. "After independence, a few of us dedicated our lives solely to the development of theatre, we loved theatre and we worked hard for it, even today people praise us for our contributions."
"Our theatre industry is very rich, though it is the result of each group's efforts, the Federation has a big role to play in this aspect," expresses Nasiruddin Yousuff, another former chairman.
"We have been working to uphold our theatre scenario since our independence and we continue to work hard," shares Dr Enamul Huq. "We received numerous praise for our performances abroad, we have achieved a lot."
"The appeal of stage plays are on the rise as more youngsters are attracted to stage plays, several universities are also considering theatre studies as an important subject," shares renowned playwright Masum Reza. "The role of the Federation in creating such positive changes is undoubtedly praiseworthy."
The celebratory programme will follow the basic guidelines of health safety and social distancing protocols. "We are keeping the celebrations limited this year and our primary concern is adhering to the health safety guidelines," added Kamal Bayezid.
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