Today marks the ninth death anniversary of noted playwright, actor and filmmaker Abdullah Al Mamun (13 July 1942 – 21 August 2008). He earned ‘Bangla Academy Literary Award’ in 1978 and ‘Ekushey Padak’ in 2000 from the Government of Bangladesh. As a filmmaker, he won ‘National Film Award’ for Best Director twice for the direction of the films Ekhoni Somoy (1980) and Dui Jibon (1988).

Born on July 13, 1942 in Jamalpur District, Abdullah Al Mamun completed his Honours and Masters degree in history from Dhaka University. He wrote his first stage play, ‘Niyotir Parihas’ in 1950. Subsequently, under the guidance of Muneir Chowdhury, he further developed his skills as a playwright, director and actor. He wrote 25 dramas and seven novels, an autobiography ‘Amar Ami’ and a travelogue ‘Manhattan’. ‘Ekhono Kritadas’, ‘Tomari’, ‘Amader Sontanera’, ‘Kokilara’, ‘Bibisab’, ‘Meraj Fakirer Maa’ and ‘Mayik Master’ are few of his popular plays. He founded drama group ‘Theatre (Bailey Road)’ and was an adviser to quarterly magazine ‘Theatre’. Plays produced by Mamun include ‘Songsoptok’, ‘Pathar Somoy’, ‘Jibon Chhobi’ and ‘Baba’.

Abdullah Al Mamun made his debut as a filmmaker with the film ‘Angikar’ in 1972 and earned much critical acclaim for movies like ‘Sareng Bou’ released in 1978. His other acclaimed films include ‘Ekhoni Somoy’, ‘Dui Jibon’, ‘Sokhi Tumi Kaar’ and ‘Bihanga’.

He breathed his last on August 21, 2008 in Dhaka.