Theatre school stages Abdullah Al Mamun’s “Aaina-e Bondhur Mukh”

Cast of the production with State Minister for Housing and Public Works, Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan
(1st row-left), Professor Kabir Chowdhury and Ramendu Majumder. Photo: Mumit M

Students of Abdullah Al Mamun Theatre School (previously, Theatre School), 19th batch, received their certificates at a programme held at the National Theatre Stage, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy recently. The event included staging of "Aaina-e Bondhur Mukh" -- a play written by the late playwright-actor-director Abdullah Al Mamun -- by the students.
State Minister for Housing and Public Works, Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan, was present as the chief guest. National Professor and principal of Abdullah Al Mamun Theatre School, Kabir Chowdhury, presided over the programme. Ramendu Majumder, president of ITI and secretary of the school, also spoke on the occasion.
"This is the first time we are holding a certificate giving ceremony without Abdullah Al Mamun. This school was his dream project. In his honour, we have renamed our school. Though the school is in its 20th year, financial restraints are relentless. We have taken an initiative to resolve this issue by asking enthusiastic citizens and organisations to lend a hand to our school," said Ramendu Majumder in his speech. Professor Kabir Chowdhury, too, mentioned the need of a permanent venue and a studio theatre for the school. Acknowledging the importance of cultural activities in social development, the state minister assured to look into the problems.
Set against the backdrop of the Liberation War, the play, "Aaina-e Bondhur Mukh," has been directed by Farhad Zaman Polash. A teacher of the school, Polash said, "I am privileged to have the opportunity to direct this Abdullah Al Mamun play. I consider him my 'guru.' Staying true to the intentions of the playwright and the characters, I took some liberty in my theatrical approach. If the audience appreciate it, I'd be very happy."
The cast included A.B.M. Barkatullah, Anwar Hossain, Sharif Hasan Chowdhury, Khushi Begum, Zinat Mahmuda Mohua, Golam Hakkani Rabbi and others. Set, costumes, light, music and management of the production were also done by the students.