Selim Al Deen's 77th birth anniversary today, commemorated through various events

Today marks the 77th birth anniversary of Selim Al Deen, one of the most powerful playwrights of the modern phase of Bengali theatre. He carved a distinct position in the theatre world by presenting local traditions, folk culture and Bengal's own ethos in a new light. Various theatre organisations and educational institutions have organised different programmes to mark the occasion.

Selim Al Deen was born on August 18, 1949, in an affluent Muslim family in Senerkhil village of Feni's Sonagazi upazila. His father, Mofiz Uddin Ahmed, was a deputy superintendent of customs, and his mother was Firoza Khatun. After completing his education, he began teaching as a lecturer in the Bengali Department of Jahangirnagar University in 1974. Later, in 1986, he joined the university's Department of Drama and Dramatics.

Alongside teaching, Selim Al Deen worked for a long time in research and theatre theory. He earned his PhD from Jahangirnagar University in 1995 for his research on 'Medieval Bengali Theatre'. Besides being a playwright, he was also a researcher, theatre director, organiser and art theorist. In the post-Liberation War period, he played a key role in establishing Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Gram Theatre alongside others to advance theatre practice in the country.

Selim Al Deen's contribution to Bengali theatre is particularly notable for his distinct theatrical language and use of indigenous forms. His numerous plays, including 'Keramatamangal', 'Prachya', 'Kittankhola', 'Hathadai', 'Jaibati Kanyar Man', 'Chaka', 'Hargaj', 'Ekta Marma Rupkatha', 'Banpangsul', 'Nimajjan' and 'Dhabaman', are considered significant additions to the country's stage theatre. Besides plays, he also worked in film screenplays, essays and various other fields of literature.

In recognition of his contributions to literature and theatre, he received the Bangla Academy Literary Award, National Film Award, Nandikar Award, Khalekdad Literary Award, Ekushey Padak and Alokto Literary Award, among other honours. This theatre personality passed away in Dhaka on January 14, 2008. He was later buried at the Jahangirnagar University campus.

To mark his birth anniversary, a three-day theatre festival organised by Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Gram Theatre will begin with floral tributes at his grave at Jahangirnagar University. The 'Selim Al Deen Collection' at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka has arranged a lecture and theatre exhibition. On Monday, Azfar Hossain spoke at a programme titled 'Dialogue with Selim Al Deen and the Politics of Theatre' there. Later, the Department of Theatre Arts of Jagannath University staged his play 'Dhabaman'. Additionally, Swapnadal is organising a three-day theatre festival, and the Department of Drama and Dramatics of Jahangirnagar University is observing a day-long programme.