Selim Al Deen birth anniversary celebration

Scenes from “Dhaboman” (left) and “Julan”. Photo: Mumit M.

On the second and final day (August 19) of the 62nd Selim Al Deen birth anniversary celebrations, three plays were staged at three different venues of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Dhaka Theatre in association with Swapnadal, Bangladesh Gram Theatre, Desh Bangla Theatre and Shilpakala Academy arranged the two-day festival.
Dhaka Theatre staged “Dhaboman” at the National Theatre Hall. Written by Al Deen, the play has been directed by Shimul Yousuf.
Set in a village by the Someshwari River in the greater Mymensingh area, the play features a buffalo named Sohrab as its protagonist. In the Mandi culture, buffaloes are honoured as manifestations of god.
Raised by Nahabat, Sohrab is treated not as a farm animal, but as his owner's offspring. Sohrab grows up to be a powerful animal and Nahabat takes great pride in him. He hopes that the buffalo will win the traditional annual buffalo-fight and Sohrab does win his first fight. But Nahabat's physically challenged son, Eshak, who develops a complex akin to sibling rivalry, "dreams" that he will be cured if the buffalo is sacrificed. Unable to escape his paternal duties, with a heavy heart Nahabat finally decides to sacrifice Sohrab.
Esha Yousuff played Sohrab the kid buffalo. Shimul Yousuf performed the role of Bibek (conscience). Shahiduzzaman Selim, Chandan Chowdhury, Rosy Siddiqui, Jayasree Bandopadhyay and Asaduzzaman Aman played the major characters.
Swapnadal staged “Hargoj” at the Experimental Theatre Hall. The play has been directed by Zahid Ripon.
Al Deen penned the play in 1992, based on an experience of a devastating tornado that struck the Hargoj area under Manikganj district in 1989.
The play follows an aid-team that arrives at the tornado-hit village. There is a horrific depiction of the deceased hanging from trees or entangled with boats. During the rescue operation, the protagonist of the play, Abid, finds himself in a surreal world.
Among others, Zahid Ripon, Shonali Rahman, Md. Shakhawat Hossain and Rawnak Laboni performed in the play.
Desh Bangla Theatre staged “Julan” at the Studio Theatre Hall. Prabir Guha has directed the play.
As part of the festival, a memorial lecture named after Al Deen was held at noon at the Seminar Room. Publisher and Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Haque delivered the lecture.