Various theatre organisations are holding programmes in Dhaka and at Jahangirnagar University to mark the birth anniversary of eminent playwright and theatre personality Selim Al Deen.
Processions, discussions, theatre productions and tributes at his grave will be held to honour the celebrated figure of Bangla theatre.
Selim Al Deen Sangrahashala has organised a two-day programme at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to mark the occasion.
Today at 5pm, a discussion titled Alape Selim Al Deen o Natoker Rajniti will be held at the academy’s Studio Theatre Hall.
Azfar Hossain will deliver a solo presentation. Later, at 7pm, Jagannath University’s Department of Theatre Arts will stage Selim Al Deen’s Dhaboman at the same venue.
Tomorrow at 10am, a procession will be held at Jahangirnagar University, followed by a floral tribute at the playwright’s grave.
Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Gram Theatre have also organised a three-day programme to commemorate Selim Al Deen.
The programme will begin on 18 August with a floral tribute at his grave.
Later that day, at 7pm, Selim Al Deen’s Nimajjan, directed by Nasiruddin Yousuff, will be staged at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
On 19 August at 7pm, Johornama will be staged at the National Theatre Hall. Based on a story by Kazi Nazrul Islam, the play has been scripted and directed by Anan Zaman.
The Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University will perform the production.
On the final day, 20 August, Eksathe Choli Eksathe Bachi will be staged at 7pm. Written by A H Rajon and Rafiqul Islam, the play is directed by Nasiruddin Yousuff and will be performed by Sundaram, a theatre organisation of people with disabilities.
Swapnadal has also announced a three-day programme. Its activities will begin on 18 August at 10am with a procession to Selim Al Deen’s grave, followed by a floral tribute.
On 20 August, Swapnadal’s production of Rabindranath Tagore’s verse play Chitrangada will be staged at the Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at 5:30pm and 7:30pm.
The production is directed by Zahid Repon.
The following day, 21 August, the same venue will host the 52nd and 53rd performances of Selim Al Deen’s Hargaj at 5:30pm and 7:30pm. The production is also directed by Zahid Repon.
Through these programmes, theatre and cultural practitioners will pay tribute to Selim Al Deen’s contribution to Bangla theatre, while celebrating his works and ideas on his birth anniversary.
