Rediscovering Mamun through his works
(From left) Tanveen Sweety, Apon Ahsan, Ferdousi Majumdar and Shekanul Islam Shahi in the play. Photo: Mumit M
"Last year in June, Mamun expressed his wish to celebrate his birthday on July 12 with grandeur; he even wrote a draft for the invitation card saying, 'Man is by nature avaricious, I am also being a bit greedy to be with my dear ones on my birthday.' We are preparing ourselves for a festival in July. But unfortunately, he got admitted to hospital just before the festival, and on the much-awaited birthday, he was having a critical operation in his head. Through this festival, we are paying our honour to this versatile genius who contributed a lot to neo-theatre movement in the post independent Bangladesh," Ramendu Majumdar, president of ITI and convener of the festival said while welcoming the audience at the eight-day festival celebrating the birth anniversary of the playwright, director-filmmaker and actor Abdullah Al Mamun. Mamun died last year as he was suffering from subdural haematoma (bleeding in the brain).
The festival features staging plays written by Mamun, film and documentary screening, photography and book exhibition at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Theatre and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy are jointly organising this festival, which began on July 10 at the National Theatre Stage of BSA. National Professor and founder president of Theatre Kabir Chowdhury was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. Noted theatre personalities Ataur Rahman, Mamunur Rashid, Ferdousi Majumdar, along with secretary of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kamal Kanti Boidya were also present at the event. The photography and book exhibition on Mamun was inaugurated by Professor Kabir Chowdhury at the lobby of National Theatre Stage on the same day.
Eminent Tagore artiste Mita Haque started off the evening with a rendition of the song "Jogoter ananda joggey." The grandchildren of Abdullah Al Mamun formally inaugurated the festival by lighting candles. Apon Ahsan recited the poem "Mamun Bihoney Mamuner Janmodiney, " a tribute to the artiste by poet Syed Shamsul Haq.
On the first day of the festival, Theatre presented the play "Spordha." Both written and directed by Abdullah Al Mamun, the production featured Mamun himself portraying a major role in it. The troupe brings the play again on stage, which is still very much contemporary, an element that is manifested in most of Mamun's plays.
The play opens with an old man sleeping on a park bench, making a mugger believe he is dead. Soon it is discovered that the man had come with his wife to draw his pension. Finding a large crowd at the counter, he was resting at the park nearby. A retired government officer, the man lives with his son and daughter-in-law. Apparently the son, Rabi is quite concerned about his old parents, but is quick to change his mind when it comes to his self-interest. The old couple does not suspect anything, but Rabi is planning to leave his parents when he moves to his new home. The story depicts a very common dilemma of a middle class family, revealing the selfish decline of human feelings.
Shekanul Islam Shahi plays the father in the play, which was previously done by Mamun. Ferdousi Majumdar plays the caring wife of the old man, who still has the strength to face any hostile situation. Apon Ahsan in his role of Rabi and Tanveen Sweety as Kona, the persuasive wife of Rabi is quite convincing. Tropa Majumdar, Bhabani Shankar Roy, Maruf Kabir, Aliul Haque Rumi and Samar Dev among others played other important roles. Hasan Ahmed designed the set while Kamruzzaman Runu was responsible for light designing. Ferdousi Majumdar is the costume designer and assistant director of the play. A poem by Shamsur Rahman was used as the background score in the play.
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