SM Solaiman Recalled
Golapjaan staged after six years
Theatre icon SM Solaiman was remembered through discussion session, award giving ceremony and staging of a play at a programme at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday evening.
The programme was organised by Solaiman’s theatre troupe Theatre Art Unit in celebrating 61st birth anniversary of the theatre activist, which will fall on September 29. Samina Lutfa Nitra, founding member of popular theatre troupe BotTala, was bestowed with this year’s SM Solaiman Motivational Award at the programme. Seasoned theatre artiste Enamul Haq was present at the event as chief guest and handed over the crest to Nitra in presence of noted theatre activist Aminul Rahman Mukul. Rokeya Rafiq Baby, widow of Solaiman and also chief of the troupe and Dr Mohammad Bari, senior member of the troupe spoke at the discussion session amongst others.
In expressing her feelings, Nitra said that it is a great joy and honour to receive the award. ‘SM Solaiman inspired us a lot to remain attached with theatre practice. He was an icon for us when we were newcomers in theatre. The award in his name will inspire me to be a better artiste,’ said Nitra.
In his speech, Dr Enamul Haq recalled his memories with Solaiman, ‘A devoted theatre practitioner like Solaiman is very hard to find’.
Rokeya Rafiq Baby informed the audience that the troupe has been awarding young yet promising theatre activists since 2005 with a goal to inspire them.
Dr Mohammad Bari delivered a memorial speech on the topic ‘Bangladesh-er Nabonatya Charchai Rajnoitik Chinter Prabonota’ where he pointed out the influence of political awareness on the theatre practice of the country. In that paper, he also gave a short description of the history of theatre in the country.
The discussion session was followed by staging of popular play Golapjaan after a break of six years since the play was last staged.
The play is an adaption of Muhammad Abu Taher’s short story with the same title. The play had been adapted and directed by SM Solaiman.
The play revolves around an elderly woman who lives in old Dhaka. The woman, who is in her late 60’s, recalls various important incidents of her life since she was seven years old. The play depicts the socio-cultural changes that took place in the old town over a period of six decades and is seen through the perception of the woman.
-With New Age input
