Home ›› 14 Jan 2023 ›› Show Biz
Today marks the 14th death anniversary of the Ekushey Padak-winning dramatist Selim Al Deen, regarded as the pioneer of theatre in Bangladesh.
Like previous years, the day will be observed by several cultural bodies across the country.
Jahangirnagar University’s (JU) Department of Drama and Dramatics that was founded by Selim, will host a three-day theatre festival on the JU premises.
The three day festival will feature discussion, seminar, play, special songs on Selim Al Deen and other programmes.
The festival will begin today morning by placing a floral wreath on the grave of Selim Al Deen, followed by a procession. Later, a seminar on ‘Sesh Nahi Je’ will be held at 3pm at Zahir Raihan Auditorium on the campus.
The formal inaugural ceremony will be held today at 6pm. JU vice-chancellor Nurul Alam will inaugurate the festival, while professor Abdus Selim, theatre personality Afzal Hossain will be present as special guests.
In the evening, renowned singer Fahmida Nabi and the JU drama department students will render songs of Selim Al Deen.
Besides, the department will stage their play titled ‘Swarnaboyal’ directed by Yousuf Hasan Arko at the Selim Al Deen Muktamancha.
On the second day, drama department’s of JU will stage their production titled ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ at the Selim Al Deen Muktamancha, while Dhaka Theatre will stage its production titled ‘Nimajjon’ on the closing day at the Muktamancha.
Besides, theatre troupe Swapnadal and other cultural bodies are organising separate programmes to commemorate the life and legacy of the eminent playwright.
Regarded as the pioneer of neo-theatre in the country, Selim was born on August 18, 1949, in Senerkhil village of Feni. He was the third child of Mofizuddin Ahmed and Firoza Khatun.
He passed SSC in 1984 from Mangalkandi Secondary School, Senerkhil, Feni, and HSC from Feni College in 1986. During that year, he got admitted to the Bangla department of Dhaka University.
While studying in second year, he left Dhaka University and entered Korotia Sadat College in Tangail. After graduating from there, he obtained his MA degree from the Bangla department of Dhaka University.
In 1964, Selim joined Jahangirnagar University as a lecturer in the Bangla department and later founded the Drama and Dramatics Department, in which he served as its chairman. He also obtained his PhD from Jahangirnagar University in 1995.
A founding member of Dhaka Theatre, Selim co-founded Bangladesh Graam Theatre in 1981-82 with playwright and filmmaker Nasiruddin Yusuff.
‘Jaundice and Miscellaneous Balloons’ (1985), ‘Basan’ (1985), ‘Keettankhola’ (1986), ‘Keramatmangal: (1988), ‘Chaka’ (1991), ‘Hargaj: (1992), ‘Nimajjan’ (2002) are some of his most notable plays.
Deen died on January 14, 2008, at a private hospital in Dhaka. He was buried near the central mosque on the Jahangirnagar University campus.
For his noteworthy contribution to art and culture in the country, Selim received several awards, including Ekushey Padak in 2007, Bangla Academy Award in 1984, and National Film Award for Best Dialogue in 1994.
