‘Everything I achieved today, is because of him’

Ekushey Padak recipient Aly Zaker was an actor, thespian and playwright, who left a grandiose mark in the mind of the audience, dominant in every sector of the entertainment world including theatre, drama, and television series. His impeccable work had gained him many awards throughout his lifetime.
 

"Dewan Gazir Kissa", "Nurul Din-er Shara Jibon" "Baki Itihash", "Bidogdho Romonikul", "Toilo Sankat" were only a few of his memorable works. He also has famed representations of "Macbeth" and "Galileo", which were highly acclaimed by the audience.

Today (November 6) marks the 78th birth anniversary of the late artiste. Remembering his presence in his life, the prominent artiste and cultural persona Asaduzzaman Noor, shared a few words with The Daily Star.

"I still remember Aly Zaker's invitation to watch a drama rehearsal, which was my first encounter with the theatre world," says Asaduzzaman Noor. "I was surprised to see my university friends there at the rehearshal."

Asaduzzaman Noor used to work at a news firm at the time.  At the rehearsal, the two eminent personas started their epic relationship. "His invitation brought me to the theatre world and afterwards -- acting, theatre, and television drama became my life."

For Asaduzzaman Noor, Aly Zaker was a guiding light, who showed him the way. "In all honesty, he is a friend and a father figure to me."

"I once worked at an embassy, back when Aly Zaker had bought Asiatic from the government," he reminisces. "He invited me to work with him. Back then, both my parents had retired, and my siblings were busy with their studies."

"Can't you be an ambassador?" He told Noor that this career has no future there. "Instead, if we can make this organization stand, it would not be bad."

The duo had truly succeeded in their work together, and made Asiatic reach the heights of success. "Aly Zaker had an immense contribution on every sector of my life, be it theatre or business," he shares.
 

On the first day that Asaduzzaman Noor went to Nagorik Natya Sampradaya, he was asked to do prompting for the play, "Baki Itihash". Two days before the play, Abul Hayat got injured, and Aly Zaker said, "Noor will to this role."

"Everything I have achieved today has the shadow of Aly Zaker's guidance," the artiste says. "He guided me like a parent in every way and showed me the way."