The programmes, beginning today and continuing through August 21, bring together several generations of theatre practitioners around the work and legacy of one of the most influential figures in modern Bangladeshi theatre. Deen was born on August 18, 1949, and died in 2008.

In post-colonial Bangla literature, the legendary dramatist, Natyacharya Selim Al Deen, a pioneer of modern Bangla theatre, is often credited with introducing a new dimension to the genre. He was also the visionary behind Bangladesh Gram Theatre.

Selim Al Deen, perhaps the most celebrated name of Bangladeshi theatre in the post-Rabindranath era, was born on August 18, 1949. The playwright, fondly called Natyacharya, is credited with ushering in a new era in our theatre scene through his plays and extensive research in the field.

As part of this celebration, Selim Al Deen's "Shakuntala" is making a much-anticipated return to the stage, under the direction of Shahiduzzaman Selim.

Under their two-day long initiative, titled “Natyacharya Selim Al Deen Smaran Utsab”, they will stage two of their most popular shows, “Chitrangada” and “Macbeth” on January 13 and 14 respectively, at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The Selim Al Deen Festival opened in full swing at the main auditorium of the National Theatre Hall at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on August 19, through a ceremony that handed out a number of awards, and saw the staging of Dhaka Theatre's