The 77th birth anniversary of celebrated Bangladeshi playwright Selim Al Deen is being observed today with various programmes.
But as the theatre community remembers his contribution, questions have also emerged over why his plays are not staged more widely by theatre groups outside Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka Theatre and Swapnadal.
Those involved in theatre say one reason is the distinctive and narrative-heavy style of Al Deen’s plays, which can be challenging for many groups to interpret and stage.
Actor, director and Swapnadal chief Zahid Repon said engaging deeply with Al Deen’s work requires extensive research and reading.
“To study Selim Al Deen, one needs the perspective of a researcher and extensive reading. Without a clear understanding of Bengal’s long theatrical tradition, the disruption of theatrical evolution under colonialism and the need and methods for reconstructing Bengali theatre in the post-colonial period, it is not possible to properly engage with his work,” he said.
However, Jahangirnagar University teacher and theatre director Yusuf Hasan Arko disagreed with the idea that Al Deen’s plays remain limited to his students or his own theatre groups.
“I do not agree with the idea that Selim Al Deen’s plays are limited to his students or his own groups. His plays have been staged at Dhaka University and various other universities and theatre groups across the country. Different rural theatre groups and theatre organisations have also staged his works,” he said.
The celebrations began today, 18 August, with Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Gram Theatre paying tribute at Al Deen’s grave at Jahangirnagar University as part of a three-day theatre festival.
The Selim Al Deen Collection has also organised talks and theatre performances at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka.
On Monday afternoon, Azfar Hossain delivered a solo lecture titled Alape Selim Al Deen O Naatoker Rajniti at the academy’s Studio Theatre Hall.
At 7pm, the Department of Theatre Arts at Jagannath University staged Al Deen’s play Dhaboman at the same venue.
Swapnadal is also organising a three-day theatre festival, while the Department of Drama and Dramaturgy at Jahangirnagar University has planned a day-long programme on Tuesday.
Selim Al Deen was born on 18 August 1949 in Senerkhil village of Sonagazi in Feni.
He challenged conventional divisions within Western art and developed a distinctive theatrical approach rooted in Bengal’s centuries-old aesthetic traditions, which he called the “Dwaitadwaitabadi Shilpatattva” or dual-non-dual artistic theory.
His body of work spans theatre, screenwriting, translation, poetry, songs and essays.
His notable plays include Songbad Cartoon, Jaundice O Bibidho Balloon, Muntasir Fantasy, Shakuntala, Kittan Khola, Bashon, Keramatmangal, Chaka, Hargaj, Jaibati Kanyar Mon, Hat Hadai, Prachya, Nimajjan, Bonpanshul, Swarnaboal, Putro and Dhaboman.
Selim Al Deen died in Dhaka on 14 January 2008.
He was buried on the Jahangirnagar University campus.
