Paying tribute to the late iconic playwright, actor and filmmaker Abdullah Al Mamun on his 76th birth anniversary today, Theatre, a popular theatre troupe in the country, is organising a commemorative programme at the seminar hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in Segun Bagicha of the capital this evening. The programme will feature a discussion and staging play.

The discussion will take place at 4pm that will shed light on the life and works of Albdullah Al Mamun. Attending the event, ‘Mancha Sarathi’-famed veteran thespian Ataur Rahman, Sarah Begum Kobori and Suborna Mustafa will recall sweet memories of the legend.  

After the discussion, Theatre will stage Abdullah Al Mamun-directed play ‘Meraj Fokirer Ma’ at the National Theatre Hall. Abdullah Al Mamun’s play ‘Meraj Fokirer Ma’ poses a few very important question of life:

What is more important--relationship or religion? Should a son leave his mother if his views regarding religion differ from that of hers? In fact, through this satirical play, the playwright tries to bring out the human values and depict certain characters, who oppress people in the name of religion.

Hasan Ahmed is the set designer, while Thandu Ryhan is the lighting designer of the production.

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 Fokirer 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’.

Abdullah Al Mamun won many awards, including the prestigious Ekushey Padak, National Film Award and Bangla Academy Award.

He died on August 21, 2008

in Dhaka.