Abdullah al Mamun (1936-2008) was a renowned Bangladeshi playwright, dramatist, and theater director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Bangladeshi theater and is often referred to as the “father of modern Bangladeshi drama.” Mamun is known for his groundbreaking plays that tackled a range of social and political issues facing the country, including poverty, corruption, and the struggle for independence.
Mamun was born in a small village in the Tangail district of Bangladesh in 1936. He showed an early interest in writing and began to write plays and stories at a young age. After completing his formal education, Mamun moved to Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, to pursue a career in theater. He founded the theater group “Nagorik Natya Sampraday” (Citizen’s Theater Movement) in 1972, which quickly became one of the leading theater groups in the country.
Mamun’s plays often focused on the lives of ordinary people and the struggles they faced in their daily lives. His most famous play, “Dewan Gazir Kissa” (The Story of Dewan Gazi), tells the story of a poor farmer who is wrongly accused of stealing and is forced to flee his village. The play is a powerful indictment of the corruption and injustice that pervades Bangladeshi society.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Mamun was also a noted theater director and actor. He directed numerous productions for Nagorik Natya Sampraday, including many of his own plays. Mamun was also an outspoken advocate for the development of Bangladeshi theater and worked tirelessly to promote and support the work of young playwrights and actors.
Mamun received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to Bangladeshi theater, including the Ekushey Padak, one of the country’s highest civilian honors, in 1987. Mamun passed away in 2008 at the age of 72, but his legacy lives on through his plays and his influence on Bangladeshi theater. Today, he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the cultural history of Bangladesh.