Shaheed Munier Chowdhury birth anniversary celebrated

Award recipients Shubhashish Shameer (back row, 2-L) and Professor Malay Bhaumik seen with Nasiruddin Yousuff and Ramendu Majumdar. Professor Kabir Chowdhury (front row, left), Rasheda K. Chowdhury and Ferdausi Majumdar are seen seated.Photo: Mumit M.

November 27 marked the 83rd birth anniversary of Shaheed Munier Chowdhury. As part of observing the day, 'Theatre' has been honouring theatre personalities for their contribution to the performing art form with 'Munier Chowdhury Shammanona' since 1989.
Since 1997, the troupe initiated another award named after the late theatre personality Mohammad Zakaria, who was the first 'Munier Chowdhury Shammanona' recipient. This award goes to young and emerging theatre personalities.
This year the award-giving ceremony was held at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on November 27. Theatre director and activist, Professor Malay Bhaumik, received this year's 'Munier Chowdhury Shammanona,' while young theatre activist Shubhashish Shameer received the 'Mohammad Zakaria Smriti Padak.' Professor Bhaumik is a teacher at Rajshahi Uni-versity and Shameer is the chief of Maulvibazar based indigenous troupe 'Manipuri Theatre.'
"This award will encourage me in my continual activities related to theatre," Professor Bhaumik said in a brief speech.
"I was first informed by Ramendu Majumdar over phone. It was hard to believe that I'm going to receive this prestigious prize," said Shameer, who's troupe Manipuri Theatre received the 'Arzu Smriti Natya Padak' earlier this year as the best theatre troupe of the country.
President of 'Theatre' and National Professor Kabir Chowdhury presided over the programme, while Rasheda K. Chowdhury, adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs was the chief guest. Professor Kabir Chowdhury and Rasheda K. Chowdhury gave away the awards to the recipients.
As part of the awards, Professor Bhaumik received Tk 25,000 and Shameer received Tk 15,000.
Eminent theatre personality Nasiruddin Yousuff was the special guest at the programme. He gave a brief speech on the life and works of Shaheed Munier Chow-dhury. Noted theatre personality Ramendu Majumdar delivered the welcome speech and vote of thanks. Theatre icon Ferdausi Majumdar announced the names of the recipients at the programme.
Live performance of 'baul' songs followed the prize-giving ceremony.