To mark the 81st birth anniversary of martyred intellectual Professor Munier Chowdhury, Theatre organised a commemorative event on Sunday at the Experimental theatre Hall of Shilpakala Academy, where Munier Chowdhury Award and Mohammad Zakaria Padak were conferred. This year, eminent stage, TV and film actor Keramat Moula received the Munier Chowdhury Award, while Mohammad Zakaria Padak was given to Avijit Sengupta, a young director and organiser from Chittagong. The awardees also received BDT 50000 and BDT 25000 respectively, which was sponsored by IFIC Bank Ltd.
Noted educationist and writer Dr Golam Murshid attended the award giving ceremony as chief guest and handed over the awards to the recipients, while Shah Alam Sarwar, Managing Director and CEO of IFIC Bank Limited was present as special guest. Chaired by Ferdousi Majumder, Theatre’s director Ramendu Majumdar delivered the welcome speech and Syed Ahsanul Apon conducted the event.
After receiving Munier Chowdhury Award, Keramat Moula expressed his feelings, “I got a lot of things in life. But, receiving Munier Chowdhury Award is a special pride for me, because I have played many roles in Munier Chowdhury’s plays and also acted with Zakaria. This moment will be considered as the best moment of my life.”
Avijit Sengupta said, “Recognition for the work has been always joyful. Amid of many obstacles in Chittagong, I continued my work. The award, which has been given to me in recognition of my earnest work, will boost me up to be more dutiful towards my work in the future. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the colleagues of Theatre. I have achieved this award because of working with them. Getting this award is really a great joy for me.” In the second part of the programme, Abdullah Al-Mamun Theatre School staged Munier Chowdhury’s play ‘Bongsodhor’ directed by Shekanul Islam Shahi.