Theatre icon remembered
Abdullah Al Mamun’s 69th birth anniversary observed
On his 69th birth anniversary, late theatre icon Abdullah Al Mamun was remembered by his troupe Theatre with a three-day celebration programme held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The programme was inaugurated on July 13 at the Studio Theatre Hall of the academy. The first day’s programme featured a memorial lecture named after Mamun, staging of the play “Meraj Fakir-er Ma” and opening of a photo exhibition.
Recalling Mamun’s talents in diverse sectors of arts and culture, his lifelong friend and ITI Worldwide president Ramendu Majumdar termed him as an ‘artiste of multi-talents’.
Abdullah Al Mamun was one of the architects who helped Bangladeshi theatre attain its current position. His contribution in the sphere of TV plays was enormous and he pioneered the mega serial in Bangladesh. Mamun also showcased his talent in cinema by directing film such as ‘Shareng Bou’,” said Majumdar, also chief of Theatre.
Majumdar asserted that his troupe will hold a colourful festival next year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the late theatre personality.
The memorial lecture which has been initiated this year, will be a regular fixture. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Foreign Secretary and art and culture enthusiast Mohamed Mijarul Quayes. His topic “Theatre, Theatre and Theatre” mainly focused on the production of a play, from script readings to its staging.
Written and directed by Mamun, “Meraj Fakir-er Ma” was staged after the lecture. The play, which features theatre icon Ferdousi Majumdar as the protagonist, is one of the most successful productions of the troupe.
The play focuses on the age-old conflict between religion and humanity. What if, one morning one discovered that one’s identity was in question? Or that one’s religious beliefs did not match those of one’s parents?
“Meraj Fakir-er Ma” zooms in on the fact that while religion has always played a key role in our society, in most cases the essence of religion has been misinterpreted, to benefit fringe elements. The question, which Mamun put forward, is should religion precede humanity? In the play, these are the questions that the young Meraj Fakir is forced to ask himself when his mother is dragged into a conflict.
Ramendu Majumdar played the shrewd character, Kazi Tabarok. The character of Geda Fakir, which Mamun used to play, was enacted by Shekanul Islam Shahi. Tofa Hossain played the role of Meraj Fakir.
The exhibition of photos and posters featuring Mamun’s involvement with in theatre is at the lobby of the National Theatre Hall. The Foreign Secretary inaugurated the exhibition.
The three-day programme also features staging of two more plays not directed by Mamun. Yesterday, “Baramkhana”, a biographical work on Fakir Lalon Shai was staged at the National Theatre Hall. Written by Pantho Shahriar, the play has been directed by Tropa Majumdar.
Today the programme ends with the staging of another Tropa Majumdar directorial work “Mukti”. The play has been adapted by Mohamed Mijarul Quayes
-With The Daily Star input
