Dhaka, Jan 14 (bdnews24.com)—Maestro playwright Selim Al-Din's third death anniversary is being observed today with due respect and honour.
The playwright passed away on Jan 14, 2008.
The versatile author was a pioneer playwright of post-Rabindranath Bengali literature. He played a great role in establishing the main stream in drama for this region. Al-Din had also written the first Bengali dictionary on dramatics.
Researching over the narrative form of Bengali drama, he had written a historical book titled 'Madhya Juger Bangla Natya' to institutionalise the Bengali drama form. The book shed light on the long history of drama practises in the Bengal.
Al-Din rejected the drama form established during the colonial period and had proven that the history of Bengali drama was as old as world literature.
Originally, named Moinudddin Ahmed and later changing his name, Selim Al-Din was born on August 18, 1949. He was the founding chairman of the Jahangirnagar University's drama and dramatics department and the Bangladesh Gram Theatre.
Selim Al-Din's most notable plays include Muntasir Fantasy (1976), Kirton Khola (1980), Keramat Mangal (1984), Chaka (1990), and Jubati Kanyar Mon (1991).
He has been awarded the 'Ekushey Padak', 'Bangla Academy Padak' and many other prominent awards for his lifelong dedication and work for Bengali drama. Some of his writings have been selected as the academic text in universities of many countries, including Bangladesh.
In observation of Al-Din's third death anniversary, Dhaka Theatre, Bangladesh Gram Theatre, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the Drama and Dramatics Department of Jahangirnagar University have organised various programmes. Other organisations associated with Gram Theatre from all over the country are also observing the day with due honour.
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