THE LITERARY GREAT REMEMBERED

A two-day programme marking the 65th birth anniversary of Natyacharya Selim Al Deen at Zila Shilpakala Academy auditorium concluded on August 19.

The Mymensingh segment of the celebrations was jointly organised by Swapnadol, a drama troupe from Dhaka and Mymensingh Zila Shilpakala Academy.

The programme was undertaken to disseminate the philosophy of the great artiste and “Bangla Natyariti” to every corner of the country.

Swapnadol staged “Festoon e Lekha Smriti” and artistes of Theatre and Performance Studies Department of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Trishal  staged “Jaundice and Bibid Balloon” on the opening day of the celebrations.

A workshop and discussion on “Shilpadarshan of Selim Al Deen and Bangla Natyariti” were held on Tuesday.

Sahojia, a group of “Charja Gaan” from Sakhipur in Tangail performed “Charja Gaan” while Swapnadol staged Selim Al Deen's “Horgoj” directed by Jahid Ripon.

Earlier, the vice-chancellor of JKKNIU Prof. Mohit Ul Alam inaugurated the celebrations at Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Monday evening as chief guest.

A discussion on the life, works and philosophy of the Natyacharya was held marking the opening ceremony.

Convener of Mymensingh Theatre Association Shahadat Hossain Khan Hilu was the special guest with Mustakim Billah Faruqui, deputy commissioner of Mymensingh in the chair.

ASM Ali Azhar, secretary of Bidrohi Natya Goshthi; president of Ensemble Theatre Abul Monsur; president of Mukhush Natya Sangstha Abdul Hye Sikder; and Chhayanaut Sahitya Sangskritik Dal Sharif Mahfuzul Haque were present at the inaugural session, among others.

Jahid Ripon, convener of “Natyacharya Selim Al Din Janmutsab-2014” delivered the welcome speech.

Discussing the playwright's contributions to initiating a new trend in modern Bangla theatre, the speakers said that Selim Al Deen's works reflect our nationality and cultural identity and enable us to return to our roots.

Selim Al Deen's plays contain our traditional art forms, dialogues, dialects and folklore, added the speakers, pointing out that his writings will continue to enthrall a vast readership.

In his writings, the Natyacharya also depicted the struggle against the severity of nature, the vice-like grip of the upper crust of society and a flawed social structure that victimises women.