S.M. Solaiman recalled
A two-day memorial programme in honour of renowned theatre personality S.M. Solaiman was held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on September 22 and 23. Solaiman's troupe Theatre Art Unit arranged the programme to observe the 58th birth anniversary, as well as 10th death anniversary, of Solaiman. A motivation award named after the theatre personality was conferred at the first day's programme.
Actress and director Tropa Majumdar received this year's motivation award for her contribution to theatre. Theatre Art Unit has been conferring the award since 2005.
The opening programme was held at the Experimental Theatre Hall of the academy. Noted author Syed Shamsul Haq was chief guest at the programme, while theatre activist Mannan Heera delivered a memorial lecture on Solaiman. Seasoned actor-director Mamunur Rashid also spoke on the occasion.
In his lecture, Heera termed Solaiman “a genius who chose a secluded life.” He also called Solaiman a keen follower of Marxism. Heera said that Solaiman's plays should be staged widely across the country.
Objecting to Heera's observation that Solaiman was a follower of Marxism, Mamunur Rashid said, “His (Solaiman's) creations surpassed the boundaries of labels. He introduced a new concept.”
Praising Solaiman's satires as unique, Syed Shamsul Haq suggested that it would be a good topic for M.Phil students.
Rokeya Rafique, chief of Theatre Art Unit, presided over the inaugural programme.
The second part of the first day's programme featured staging of Solaiman's play “Amina Shundori”. The play is based on the 300-year-old folklore “Nasor Malum O Bhelua Shundori” (collected by Ashutosh Chowdhury). Rokeya Rafique is the director of the play.
The story of "Amina Shundori" is quite simple. Soon after marrying Amina, her husband Nasor goes to Burma (Myanmar) and marries another woman named Akin. Amina's struggle as an abandoned wife begins; yet she patiently awaits the return of her husband. She has to face the lechers, who want to take advantage of her.
The cast included Selim Mahbub, Shimul Khan, Chandan Reza, Ilma Hossain.
On the second day, the troupe staged its acclaimed play “Court Martial” at the Studio Theatre Hall. An open discussion on Solaiman's life and works was held prior to the staging of the play.
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