Paeans to the Playwright

Photo: Prabir Das

Marking the 65th birth anniversary of Natyacharya Selim Al Deen, different theatre troupes and organisations arranged a large array of programmes at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).

Selim Al Deen Foundation, in association with Dhaka Theatre arranged a two-day programme to mark the playwright's birthday. As part of their programme, a seminar “Bangladesher Jatiyo Natya Angika and Dhaka Theatre-er The Tempest” took place on Sunday at the seminar room of BSA.

Masud Imran Mannu presented the keynote at the seminar, discussing the playwright's contribution in setting a new trend in modern Bangla theatre.

He explained how Selim Al Deen and Nasiruddin Yousuff together built up a format that reflects our own nationality and cultural roots. Selim Al Deen's plays strive to search our folk traditions and national heritage. His plays incorporate our own traditional forms, dialogues, dialects, folklore and uphold our nationality. Selim Al Deen's works are result of his research into different formats. He used to search Bangalee's cultural roots, and brought forth his findings in his plays.  

A scene from “Joiboti Konya'r Mon” (above); speakers at the seminar.

Professor Biswajit Ghosh chaired the seminar, while noted personalities including Ataur Rahman, Mamunur Rashid, Lucky Enam, Tariq Anam Khan, Afsar Ahmed, Hasan Arif, Lutfur Rahman, Mannan Hira, Rahman Chowdhury, Ratan Siddiki, Rokeya Rafiq Baby, Saiful Islam and Samina Luthfa took part in the open discussion.

Following the seminar, Bogra Theatre staged “Droho” at the National Theatre Hall of BSA in the evening. Written and directed by Toufique Hasan Moyna, “Droho” zooms in on the struggles of people living in the suburbs of Jamuna basin area under Shariakandi upazila. Besides depicting the inhabitants' fight against the harshness of nature and the clutches of dominating upper-class society, the play also sheds light on the struggles for freedom and the sacrifice of people to live in religious and social harmony.

Meanwhile at the Experimental Theatre Hall, Jahangirnagar Theatre staged their much-acclaimed production “Joiboti Konyar Mon”, a Katha-natya written by Selim Al Deen. The play tells the tales of two women belonging to two different ages.  Kalindi, a devotee and a fan of Mangal songs, belongs to the 18th century while Pori is a contemporary jatra artiste. Selim Al Deen through this play depicted how the two women become victims of flawed social structure. The play was staged as part of Swapnadal's five-day long festival on Selim Al Deen.  

Yesterday, Dhaka Theatre staged “Rabindrabhubone Selimer Bhromon” at the Studio Theatre Hall of BSA. Selim Al Deen award was also handed yesterday evening, as part of the two-day programme.