Gram Theatre celebrates Nasiruddin Yousuff’s Ekushey Padak

Led by Shimul Yousuf (L-6), members of Dhaka Theatre perform a collage of excerpts from the group’s productions. Photo: Mumit M.

Bangladesh Gram Theatre arranged a colourful programme to celebrate its president Nasiruddin Yousuff's receiving Ekushey Padak this year. The programme was held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy premises on March 12. Highlights of the programme were performances of indigenous art forms as well as theatre, classical music, dance, recitation and more.
Nasiruddin Yousuff received an Ekushey Padak for his outstanding contribution to Bangladeshi theatre over the last four decades. He, along with the late Selim Al Deen, founded Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Gram Theatre.
At the programme, Pijush Bandyopadhyay, executive president of Gram Theatre, read out a memorandum.
Through his elaborate speech, Yousuff thanked all his colleagues, fellow theatre and cultural activists. "We started a cultural movement immediately after the Liberation War. From the beginning, we have been protesting fundamentalism. And the struggle is still on. I do not know what we have achieved so far but I can say that I have received your tremendous love and respect over the years," said Yousuff to his fellow activists.
"I never wanted to be an organiser, rather I wanted to be an artiste. But the post-Liberation War cultural and socio-political milieu forced me to take a stand," he added.
Different wings of Gram Theatre from all over the country as well as cultural organisations from Dhaka, including Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, ITI, Shammilito Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Patho Natok Parishad and Department of Drama and Dramatics, JU felicitated Yousuff with flowers.
In his speech, Yousuff also recalled his friend and fellow activist Al Deen. "Without Al Deen I would not be what I am today," he said.
Yousuff announced that the Tk 1,00,000 he received as part of Ekushey Padak would go to Birangana( war heroes).
Throughout the programme, attending organisations performed indigenous art forms such as Dhakdhol, Gadga Nritya, Lathi Nach, Jhumur Nritya, Gambhira, Manasha Mangal, Jari Gaan and Kachh Nritya.
Led by Shimul Yousuf, members of Dhaka Theatre staged a collage of excerpts from the group's productions. Members of Bangladesh Abritti Parishad recited poems, while members of Nrityadhara staged dance at the programme.
Baul songs were also rendered at the programme. Murtaza Kabir Murad and Md. Yousuf Khan performed classical music on flute and sarod respectively.
Starting from the afternoon, the programme continued till dawn yesterday.