Birthday felicitations for Abdullah Al-Mamun
Who does not know Abdullah Al-Mamun in this country? Abdullah Al-Mamun by any measurement is definitely one of the pioneers of the theatre movement in this country and has a profile that is well recognised in our culture.
There must have been numerous articles and essays that have been written on this indisputable titan of our theatre. I am not the right person to make an assessment of his multifaceted talent. Since I know very little of the technical and professional aspects of theatre and the world of drama, I shall merely dwell on some of the intrinsic humanistic side of the man that he is and reflect on some of his works both as scriptwriter and an actor.
I came to know Abdullah Al-Mamun through Ramendu Majumdar and my sister Ferdousi Majumdar. All through the early days right up to his rise to prominence I found him to be a gentleman per excellence and humble -- a combination that is rare in individuals of this country no matter what profession or field they belong to. Extremely soft spoken, yet a man of conviction and high commitment, Mamun is perhaps one of those rare personalities who continues to dedicate himself in projecting the lives of the poor and the downtrodden of this country both on and off the stage as a class actor and playwright of the highest standard.
What makes Mamun unique is that he always puts his work above everything else. So dedicated is he that some years back when his wife was taken ill with an incurable disease he came with her to our Central Road home for rehearsals with a number of boys and girls of the Theatre group. He greeted me with a smile and a gentle handshake that I remember to this day. Shortly after that his wife passed away. May her soul rest in peace. I wonder how this man who gives you the impression of a fragile and a shy person be so strong and determined.
For some years now, Mamun has been burdened with a number of debilitating ailments. He has been in and out of the hospital. Unlike most of the personalities of his times and the rising ones in the extended world of art and culture, Mamun has seldom cared to come into the media's focus. His body and soul has always been engaged with the job at hand. His passion has always been to selflessly dedicate himself to the task of lifting the moral and ethical content of our present day society, which is now on a steady downward swing.
As a playwright, Mamun is unique. His themes are simple yet powerful. His works often rally round the lives of the poor, their tragedies and happiness. He has this uncanny ability to project humour even in a tragic environment. Mamun is a patriot and a thinking man. He goes on with his mission relentlessly without looking for any awards or public recognition as such. Yet success and recognition have come his way.
Over the years he has won many prestigious national awards. Winner of Ekushey Padak, National TV Award, National Film Award and the Bangla Academy Award, Maumun continues to be as humble as he was when he set his first footsteps in the world of our culture and performing arts. Theatre art has come a long way and today stands out as one of the windows of our excellence both at home and abroad.
Mamun is a founder member and playwright-director of one of the earliest and most renowned theatre groups by the name Theatre.
He has over 20 published plays to his credit. Of significance is also the fact that he himself acted in more than 15 of those on stage. Mamun has also directed films every now and then.
Although you are not in good health today, be of good cheer my friend, you have no reason for despair. Rest assured that your achievements in life far exceeds those of many others. Our world of art and culture needs you now more than ever. My heartiest greetings on your 67th birthday. Many happy returns of the day.
The writer is a freelance contributor