A theatre giant recalled

Family members of noted dramatist Professor Zia Hyder observed his fourth death anniversary at his ancestral house in Doharpara in Pabna town on September 2. Family members and cultural activists of the district paid homage to the late professor at the Arifpur graveyard.
A milad mehfil was held at Doharpara village. Hundreds of people, including relatives, cultural activists and noted persons of Pabna, attended the programme and reminisced on Hyder.
They also discussed other issues. “We have urged the government to name a road after Professor Zia Hyder. We have submitted an application to the LGRD ministry to name Hazirhat road after Zia Hyder. The authorities assured us that they would do so,” informed Makid Hyder, eminent writer and younger brother of Hyder.
Hyder was of the leading theatre organisers of Bangladesh. He brought revolutionary change to the theatre movement in Bangladesh in the '80s. His contribution transformed and modernised our theatre, said Mostafizur Rahman Russel, a theatre artiste and secretary of Pabna Drama Circle.
“Bangla theatre, especially television plays, gained momentum through his brilliant concept of modern drama,” Russel said adding that Hyder was a pioneering theatre activist. “Therefore it is our duty to keep his memory alive,” asserted Russel.
Hyder passed away on September 2, 2008 after a cardiac arrest in a city hospital. Founder President of theatre troupe, Nagorik Natyasampradaya, Hyder made remarkable contributions to the neo-theatre movement in Bangladesh shortly after the country's independence. Nagorik Natyasampradaya was formed at his initiative in 1968. He was the troupe's president till September1982.
Hyder is also renowned for his books on theatre such as “Theatre-er Katha” (a series on the history of world theatre),” Stanislavski-er Obhinoy-tatwa” and “Natyakalaye Bibhinya Ism O Epic Theatre”. Most of these books are used as references in the theatre departments of the public universities in Bangladesh as well as Rabindra Bharati University, India. Moreover, Hyder worked determinedly to introduce theatre as an academic subject at the universities in Bangladesh.
Hyder was the founder professor of the Department of Drama in Chittagong University till his death. He was also Professor Emeritus to other universities.