The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Book Club yesterday at a function published a book to celebrate the 70th birth anniversary of Sheikh Akram Ali, founder and President of Bangladesh Book Club, at the Auditorium of Music Centre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the city.

Meanwhile, a nine-day theatre festival was inaugurated at the Natmondal Auditorium of Dhaka University yesterday.

National Professor Kabir Chowdhury inaugurated the festival as chief guest, while Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University SMA Faiz was also present as special guest on the occasion.

Eminent writer Syed Shamsul Haque, drama activists Ramendu Majumder, Aly Zaker and Jhuna Chowdhury, Chairman of the Department of Theatre and Music of Dhaka University Dr Israfil Shaheen, among others, were present at the inauguration.

VC of Dhaka University said, "The initiative of the department of Theatre and Music will give opportunity to the students of the department and help them to explore themselves. Earlier, students of the department could not get this opportunity. This will raise their experiences."

Plays of 14 students of the final year of BA (Hons) of the department will direct and perform in the festival. After the inauguration, drama 'Asheshkritya' scripted and directed by Shahman Moisan staged at the Natmondal Auditorium.

Meanwhile, at the Shilpakala Academy, noted musician Azad Rahman was present as chief guest at the publication of book titled 'Kobi Priya Ebong Annanya.'

Journalist Shahidul Haque Khan, drama activist Golam Sarwar, writer and researcher Zillur Rahman, among others, took part in the discussion, while writer and Vice President of Book Club Mohammad Emdadul Haque moderated on the occasion.

Later, a musical soiree and Nazrul literature based Nrityanatya was presented.

Play 'Songram Chalbey,' which was staged on December 18 in 1971 and written by Sheikh Akram Ali, staged at the Music Centre Auditorium of Shilpakala Academy yesterday night.

Theatre group Desh Opera also presented another drama that lasted 40 minutes and directed by researcher Milon Kanti Dey at the same venue.