Dhaka Theatre marks Selim Al Deen anniversary with three-day programme

Dhaka Theatre has announced a series of events to mark the death anniversary of Natyacharya Selim Al Deen, who passed away on January 14, 2008.

This year marks the 18th anniversary of the pioneering playwright and theatre thinker, whose creative and theoretical work was closely tied to Dhaka Theatre. To honour his legacy, the troupe has organised a multi-day programme centred on performances, discussions, and remembrance.

Image

The programme will begin on January 14 at 10 am with the placing of wreaths at Selim Al Deen’s grave.

Later that day, at 4 pm, Dhaka Theatre will host a seminar titled “Banglar Nondonshutro o Dwoitadwoitobadi Shilpototto” (Bengali aesthetic roots and dualist–non-dualist art theory” at the main hall of the National Theatre of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The seminar will revisit Selim Al Deen’s ideas on Bengali aesthetics and his distinctive approach to theatre theory.

At 7 pm the same evening, Dhaka Theatre will stage Selim Al Deen’s play “Deyal”, directed by Anik Islam.

The commemorations will continue on January 15 at 6:30 pm with the staging of “Nimajjan,” directed by Nasir Uddin Yousuff.

Image

Another Selim Al Deen play, “Rangmahal,” will be staged on January 17 at the main hall of the National Theatre, directed by Faruk Ahmed.

Dhaka Theatre has long been identified with Selim Al Deen’s artistic vision. As its founding figure and chief ideologue, he shaped the group’s language of performance by grounding it in folk traditions, rural life, and indigenous forms while also developing a distinct theoretical framework for modern Bengali theatre.