Sara Zaker

Sara Zaker is a theatre activist, media personality and Group Managing Director, Asiatic 360.

The Disappearance

When we talk about guerilla soldiers, we are often at a loss to put a face to their names. The Liberation War of Bangladesh was the combined effort of guerrilla warriors and organised military forces.

Farewell dear Mayor!

"You have to dream before your dreams can come true.” As I remember these words by APJ Abdul Kalam Azad, I say to myself, they resonate so perfectly with what our late Mayor Annisul Huq believed and expressed as much in a speech the graduating class of Daffodil University.

Behind the scene and towards a poor theatre

Behind the scene, in stage terms, is all that goes on behind what you see on stage as the audience. What you see on stage is more like the tip of the iceberg. You see only one-eighth of what it is. The rest of the seven parts of the iceberg remains unseen.

From “lau diye moong daal” to online catering

When it comes to cooking, I am reminded of the early days of trying my hand at the stove. The earliest was probably when we were in our single digits and would have bon-bhojon, i.e. cooking in the front yard or backyard with a bit of help from the cook or an adult.

A small car with a big idea

When the Volkswagen Beetle started plying through the streets of Dhaka in the late '60s, I had little notion of the “big idea” behind the “small” car, whose famous ad proudly stated: “Think small.”

School in the years gone by

Mrs Rumbold was our class teacher in class five. She was heavy-set, probably in her mid-50s or mid-40s. In the eyes of a 12-year-old, everyone after 20 seems the same age. She had a really white handkerchief which hung smartly from her brown belt.

Fragments from a pre-Partition childhood

Through 1945 to 1946 and a part 1947, we were in Calcutta. During the riots, three families moved to 11 Circus Range for protection from any attack from non-Muslims.

Sorry, a gentle soul

All we did was give him a shelter. But what Sorry probably valued most was the love he got from so many in the Asiatic family and from Joynal, his caretaker.

Take a bow, break a leg, and stop the show

Different plays have different curtain calls. One thing is common though—we invariably take the bow in an expression of our humility.

Eid of my childhood

Eid-ul-Fitr used to rate the highest as festival of the year in our childhood, followed closely by Eid-ul-Azha and Shab-e-Barat.

The Queen and I

I have admired Meryl Streep all my life. It is not often that I find myself in the role of a fan or an avid admirer. I can neither swoon over a celebrity, nor fall at their feet.

Comedy of Errors

Many a comedy is played out “on stage” and “off stage.” The longer the number of years one has been with the medium, the greater the number of errors and louder the laughs.

A FAMILY PICTURE

When I read some of the introductions of myself, I see that people see me as actor-director, TV personality, social activist, entrepreneur, etc. Yes, I wear many caps. And these are things I do.

DELICIOUS KOREAN

If it can be said that Bengalis cannot survive without "daalbhaat" in the same note it may be said that Koreans cannot survive without "khimchi and rice". For Koreans you add "Bulgogi" to it and for Bengalis you add "Machhertorkari".

THE COLOR RED

The color red on the STAGE has a very strong impact. When we use the red color, be it in costume, props or set, we have to be very careful.