Syed Shamsul Haq's memorial lecture on Abdullah Al Mamun

Haq mainly focused on the production period of “Payer Awaj Pawa Jae” and on Bangabandhu's unfinished autobiography. Photo: Jamil Mahmud

Eminent poet-playwright Syed Shamsul Haq delivered the Abdullah Al Mamun Memorial Lecture, as Theatre (Bailey Road) celebrated the 70th birth anniversary of the late theatre icon with a programme held at the Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, on July 15.
Recalling Mamun's talents in diverse sectors of arts and culture, ITI Worldwide president and chief of Theatre, Ramendu Majumdar, termed him an “artiste of multi-talents”.
“Abdullah Al Mamun was one of the pioneers who helped Bangladeshi theatre attain its current position. His contribution in the sphere of TV plays was also enormous,” said Majumdar.
Reminiscing on the deep bond between Mamun and him, Haq mainly focused on the production period of his lyrical text “Payer Awaj Pawa Jae” and on Bangabandhu's unfinished autobiography.
Haq said that initially it was a challenge for Mamun to transmit the text of “Payer Awaj Pawa Jae”, as people were not ready to see a lyrical play on stage. “However, Mamun proved his worth and created one of the most recognised plays in the history of Bangladesh,” said Haq.
Speaking on Bangabandhu's autobiography, Haq pointed to Mamun's fascination with the iconic politician and said that Mamun always wanted to uphold Bangabandhu's political ideologies through his creative works. Haq said that the unfinished biography in not “unfinished” to him, as “whatever Bangabandhu wrote in the book is clear and he tried to see himself as a commoner”.
Finally Haq hoped that young would carry on Mamun's legacy through creative works.
The memorial lecture was initiated last year.
A DVD of a documentary featuring Mamun's life and works was launched later at the programme. Laser Vision has produced the DVD. Singer Nandita Yasmin later rendered several songs including “Ohe Shudaro” and “Majhe Majhe Tabo Dekha Pai”.
Abdullah Al Mamun was born on July 13, 1942, in Jamalpur. He completed his honours and masters in history from Dhaka University. Mamun wrote his first stage play, “Niotir Parihash”, in 1950. Apart from “Payer Awaj Pawa Jae”, he also directed successful stage plays such as “Meraj Fakirer Ma” and “Shenapati”. His films “Shareng Bou” and “Dui Jibon” were critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
Abdullah Al Mamun died on August 21, 2008.