Celebrating an incomparable playwright

(From left) Golam Sarwar, Begumzadi Mehurunnisa, Ramendu Majumdar, Nasiruddin Yousuff and Liakat Ali Lucky at the discussion,left. Dancers perform at the opening programme,right.

On the occasion of playwright Selim Al Deen's 61st birth anniversary, Swapnadal and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) have jointly organised a four-day programme at Experimental Theatre Hall, BSA. Widow of Selim, Begumzadi Mehurunnisa, inaugurated the festival on August 18.
Theatre personality and ITI Worldwide President Ramendu Majumdar; Director General of BSA, Kamal Lohani; theatre activist Golam Sarwar; renowned theatre personality Nasiruddin Yousuff; Dr. Afsar Ahmed, Professor of the Department of Drama and Dramatics of Jahangirnagar University; Liakat Ali Lucky, chairman, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Golam Sarwar said, “Selim initiated a unique trend in Bangladeshi theatre. His writings are mostly research based. After his demise, several international dramatists have shown interest in Bangladeshi plays and indigenous performing art forms. His life and plays should be studied meticulously.”
Liakat Ali Lucky said, “Selim developed a new style based on narratives of traditional indigenous performing art forms. His plays are deeply connected to our roots and he successfully popularised this trend. His plays have enriched our literature and theatre. He was an outstanding playwright of our time.”
Ramendu Majumdar said, “Selim Al Deen's untimely demise created an irreparable void in our theatre. He is unparalleled in our cultural arena.”
The four-day programme features four plays: three written by Al Deen and “Festoon-e Lekha Smriti”, an adaptation of Al Deen's accounts of the Liberation War. Dr. Jaharabi Ripon's adaptation, “Festoon-e Lekha Smriti”, was staged by Swapnadal on the inaugural day.