A seven-day theatre festival featuring plays directed by thespian Ataur Rahman ended though a collage presentation of the plays in which Rahman acted. The festival ended at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Tuesday.
The academy and Manchasarathi Ataur Rahman Karma Udjapon Parisad jointly organised the festival in celebrating Rahman’s 73rd birthday, which was on June 20.
The concluding ceremony was attended by noted theatre personalities Mamunur Rashid and Ashraful Alam. In their speech, both the guests talked about their relationship with Ataur Rahman and also the contributions of Rahman in the theatre arena of the country.
The programme also featured a speech by Rahman who talked about his childhood and his theatrical journey. He shared the challenges and difficulties he went though in his illustrious career.
Ataur Rahman then entertained the audience with his presentation of extracts from Macbeth, a play he acted in. The audience burst out in laughter when the thespian recited Macbeth in the local language of Nohakhali.
With word of praise to Syed Shamsul Haque, Ataur Rahman read a verse from his poem informing that he has done several productions with Haque, and is an admirer of his works.
Besides, Ataur Rahman recited few parts from The Old Man and the Sea by the American author Ernest Hemingway which received much appreciation from the audience.
A documentary titled Mancha Sarathi, which has been made by Akhtarul Islam Jinnah, featuring Ataur Rahman’s long and eventful career in theatre, his tours and performances abroad, and glimpses of his production, was screened at the event. The documentary also featured different cultural personalities sharing experience with Ataur.
An album of poem recitations by Ataur Rahman titled Jagoter Anandajogge Amar Nimantran was unveiled at the programme.
The festival titled Manchasarathi Ataur Rahman Natto Utsab 2014 featured five plays—Raktakarabi, Rudra Rabi o Jaliwanabag, Banglar Mati Banglar Jal, Godor Protikkhay, Opekkhaman and Narigan.
-With New Age input
