The New Nation - Internet Edition

Entertainment Report

The six-day 'Selim Al Deen Janma Utsab' to celebrate the 59th birth anniversary of eminent playwright Selim Al Deen was inaugurated at the National Theatre Stage of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Monday evening.

The Cultural Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury inaugurated the festival, as chief guest, while Nasiruddin Yusuf, Convener of the festival and Director of Dhaka Theatre, drama activists, among others, were present on the occasion.

Earlier the programme started Monday morning with paying tributes to the grave of Selim Al Deen at Jahangirnagar University campus.

Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) have jointly organised the six-day elaborate programme.

The programme featured theatre performances, exhibition, installations, documentary film screenings and seminars. Awards in memory of Maqsudus Saleheen, Bazlur Rashid and Fawzia Yasmin Shiblee were announced at the inaugural ceremony.

Selim Al Deen's three plays - 'Joiboti konyar mon,' 'Prachya' and 'Nimojjon' - will be staged by Dhaka Theatre in the festival. The theatre group will also stage 'Binodini,' an adaptation based on the autobiography of legendary 19th century actor Binodini Dasi under the supervision of Selim Al Deen.

Therefore, two shows of Kolkata-based theatre group Swapnosan Dhani's productions 'Hargoj,' written by Selim Al Deen will be staged in the festival.

The birth anniversary programme also features screening of five documentaries on Selim Al Deen, directed by five young directors. Therefore, in 'Selim Al Deen Memorabilia,' photographs and posters featuring rare moments of the legendary dramatist will be on display.