Homage to Sadrul Pasha

Sadrul Pasha (inset) and a photograph by Zubaer Hossain Sikder at the exhibition.

The Academy of Performing Arts (APA), Chittagong organised a three-day photography exhibition titled “Alo-Chhayae Bangladesher Mancho Natak” (Bangladeshi Theatre in light and shadows) at the gallery of Theatre Institute, Chittagong (TIC) starting from October 25.
On display were 40 photographs by five Chittagong-based media and amateur photographers. The event was a tribute to renowned theatre personality, Sadrul Pasha, considered to be a pioneer of the group theatre movement in post-Liberation War Chittagong. Pasha died prematurely at the age of only 41 in 1995, leaving behind many friends, well-wishers and admirers.
The photographers whose works are on display at the exhibit are: Zaber Ahmed Chowdhury, Rajesh Chakraborty, Morshed Himadri, Anurup Titu and Zubaer Hossain Sikder. Zaber and Himadri are freelance photographers. Rajesh, Titu and Zubaer work for daily newspapers and have a flair for creative photography -- their special interest being arts and culture.
Veteran photographer Mortaza Toufiqul Islam inaugurated the exhibition on October 25 at a programme chaired by Akbar Reza, president of Arindam Natya Sampraday. Freedom fighter and veteran actor Zakaria Mamun, TIC Director Ahmed Iqbal Haider and APA member secretary Munir Helal spoke at the programme. On the occasion, Zakaria Mamun was honoured with the “Sadrul Smriti Padak-2008” for his contribution to theatre in Chittagong.
Recalling the cultural heritage of Chittagong, speakers labelled the period between 1973 and '78 as the "golden era" of local theatre. Sadrul Pasha was a leading figure of that time, they agreed.
Sadrul was instrumental in popularising theatre activities in the port city. His relentless efforts and skills elevated theatre of Chittagong to a national level, they recalled.
Munir Helal said, “Sadrul made an immense contribution to the Chittagong theatre. It's difficult to evaluate his works.”
Photographs at the exhibition drew attention for their vibrancy, thematic presentation as well as an authentic reflection of the subject and period they refer to. Shots of “Paap Punya” (a Nandikar production) by Anurup Titu, “Bibhajan” (a Drama and Dramatics Department, Jahangirnagar University production) by Zubaer Hossain Sikder, “Dwar Ruddha” (a Tirjak Natyadal production) by Morshed Himadri and “Ichchha Mrityu” (a South Asian Ibsen Centre production) by Rajesh Chakraborty deserve special mention.
Sadrul Pasha was born on January 15, 1954. His father Dr. BM Foyzur Rahman and mother Selina Rahman were actively engaged in progressive politics. Sadrul, a brilliant student, went to Pune Film Institute and returned home in 1984 after obtaining a degree. His involvement with the theatre movement begun much earlier when he was a student of Chittagong College and among his mentors were stalwarts Professor Momtajuddin Ahmed and Professor Zia Haider. Sadrul's passion for theatre remained undimmed till his last breath. His younger brother Asif Iqbal is a renowned lyricist. Sadrul Pasha passed way on September 24, 1995.