Theatre troupes and cultural organisations observed the 18th anniversary of death of legendary playwright Selim Al Deen on Wednesday with seminars, processions and commemorative programmes at multiple venues.
At Jahangirnagar University, the drama and dramatics department organised a daylong programme on the campus with the support of the university administration to recall the life and works of Selim Al Deen, regarded as one of the most influential playwrights of post-Tagore Bengali theatre.
The theme of this year’s observance — Chhute jete jete thomke daray ekjona [One pauses while rushing ahead] — was taken from Al Deen’s play Prachya.
The programme began in the morning with a memorial procession and floral tributes.
Teachers, students, researchers, theatre activists and cultural enthusiasts joined the procession, titled Smaran Jatra, which started from the old arts building and ended at Selim Al Deen’s grave on the JU campus.
The JU drama and dramatics department, Bangladesh Gram Theatre, Dhaka Theatre, Swapnadal, Anwita Selim Al Deen Bidyapith, JU Teacher Student Centre, Taluknagar Theatre, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote of Savar, Bunon Theatre and Arshinagar Theatre, among others, placed floral wreaths at Selim Al Deen’s grave.
Mohibur Rouf Shaibal, associate professor of drama and dramatics at JU and coordinator of the anniversary programme, said that Al Deen’s works vividly portrayed the human, political, economic, religious and social realities of Bengal, securing him a distinct place in both national and international theatre practice.
‘At a time when local cultures face challenges in a globalised world, his vision shows how to remain rooted while creating world-class art. Remembering him is not just about tribute, but about inspiring a new generation through the practice of his dramatic philosophy’, he added.
Later on the day, a seminar was held at the Set Lab of the old arts building.
A keynote paper titled ‘Selim Al Deen and the Decolonised Identity of Bengali Theatre’ was presented by Professor Aminul Islam of the JU drama and dramatics department at the event.
Academics from the university took part in the discussion, reflecting Al Deen’s intellectual legacy and his contribution to shaping a distinct theatrical language rooted in local culture.
Separately, the drama and film department of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organised a special seminar at the National Theatre Hall in Dhaka to mark the anniversary.
The seminar featured a keynote presentation on ‘Bengali Aesthetic Roots and Dualist Art Philosophy’, by Reza Arif, an associate professor of drama and dramatics at Jahangirnagar University. The seminar was presided over by JU Professor Lutfor Rahman and moderated by BSA director Deepak Kumar Goswami.
Theatre activists Zahid Ripon, Rubaiyat Ahmed and Abu Sayed Tulu spoke on the paper.
Dhaka Theatre staged Deyal, written by Selim Al Deen and directed by Anik Islam at the National Theatre Hall of the BSA. Dhaka Theatre will also stage their productions ‘Nimajjan’ today and ‘Rangmohal’ on Friday.
Selim Al Deen Sangrahashala also organised a two-day festival at studio theatre hall of the BSA. On the opening day, Pantomime Movement of Chattogram staged Prachya and the theatre department of Jagannath University staged Joiboti Konyar Mon.
Theatre troupe Swapnadal arranged a three-day programme, including the screening of Al Deen’s play Hargaj at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on January 17.
Born on August 18, 1949, at Senerkhil village of Sonagazi upazila in Feni district, Mohammad Moinuddin Ahmed, commonly known as Selim Al Deen, began his career as a copywriter before joining Jahangirnagar University in 1974 as a lecturer in the Bangla department.
He later founded the university’s drama and dramatics department and served as its first chairman.
In 1981, he co-founded Bangladesh Gram Theatre with theatre activist Nasiruddin Yousuff, aiming to develop a theatre movement grounded in indigenous forms and narratives.
Selim Al Deen received numerous awards, including the Independence Award 2023, the Ekushey Padak in 2007, the Bangla Academy Award in 1984, the Best Tele-playwright Award in 1994 and the National Film Award for best dialogue in the same year.
He died on January 14, 2008.
