Selim Al Deen’s 77th birth anniv: 3-day festival to be held at JU

Today marks the 77th birth anniversary of Selim Al Deen, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s theatre scene. His birth anniversary is being observed through various programmes.

At the same time, questions are being raised about why his plays are rarely staged by theatre groups other than Jahangirnagar University (JU), Dhaka Theatre and the theatre organisation Swapnadal. Those concerned say his distinctive and narrative-driven style is considered complex by many, which is why relatively few other groups stage his plays.

Selim Al Deen was born on this day in 1949 in Senherkhil village of Sonagazi, Feni. Rejecting the divisions of Western art in light of the thousand-year-old aesthetic traditions of this region, Selim Al Deen introduced a new form of artistic expression, which he called the “Dwaidwadbadi theory of art.”

He worked in various literary forms, including screenwriting, translation, poetry, songs and essays. His notable plays include Sangbad Cartoon, Jaundice O Bibidho Balloon, Muntasir Fantasy, Shakuntala, Kittankhola, Bashon, Keramatmangal, Chaka, Hargaj, Jaibati Kanyar Mon, Hath Hadai, Prachya, Nimajjan, Bonpanshul, Swarnaboal, Putro and Dhaboman.

Theatre actor, director and head of Swapnadal Zahid Ripon said, “Studying Selim Al Deen requires a researcher’s perspective and extensive reading. Without a clear understanding of Bengal’s long theatrical tradition, the interruption in theatrical evolution caused by colonialism, and the need and methods for reconstructing Bengali theatre in continuity with tradition in the post-colonial period, it is not possible to engage with Selim Al Deen’s works.”

JU teacher and theatre director Yusuf Hasan Orko said, “I do not agree with the notion that Selim Al Deen’s plays are limited to his students or his own theatre group. His plays have been staged at Dhaka University and various other universities and theatre groups across the country. Various village theatre groups and theatre organisations have also staged his works.”

A three-day theatre festival organised by Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Gram Theatre will begin today, August 18, with the laying of wreaths at Selim Al Deen’s grave at JU. On the occasion, the Selim Al Deen Sangrahashala has organised a discussion and theatre performance at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. At the Studio Theatre Hall of the academy on Monday afternoon, Azfar Hossain delivered a solo lecture titled “Selim Al Deen and the Politics of Theatre in Conversation.” At 7pm, the Department of Theatre Arts of Jagannath University staged Selim Al Deen’s play Dhaboman at the same venue.

Meanwhile, the theatre organisation Swapnadal is also set to organise a three-day theatre festival. In addition, the Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University will hold a day-long programme on Tuesday.

-MT