Aly Zaker receives Selim Al-Deen Padak

On the concluding day of the Selim-Al-Deen Utshab on Wednesday, the Selim-Al-Deen Padak was conferred on eminent theatre personality Aly Zaker. Aly Zaker was not able to attend the programme on the opening day. He was reportedly abroad and could not reach Dhaka on time, for which the presentation of the award took place on the closing day. 

The theatre festival was organised by Dhaka Theatre, Bangladesh Gram Theatre and Selim Al Deen Foundation, with assistance from Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

On receiving the award, Zaker told The Daily Star: “Getting any kind of recognition is a big deal, and I would like to thank Dhaka Theatre for selecting me for the honours. Dhaka Theatre has been our partner in taking Bangladeshi theatre further. Their contributions have been enormous so far, and kudos to them for keeping up with the good work.” 

Having known Selim Al-Deen and well aware of the greatness he embodied, Zaker said: “There is no doubt Selim Al-Deen was an extremely talented dramatist. Even though he worked mainly with Dhaka Theatre, he had it in him to be the dramatist of the whole nation.”

The Selim Al-Deen Theatre Festival concluded with the staging of Mohakal Natya Sampraday's production “Neelakhyan”. It was a grand celebration of the eminent dramatist's life, his works, and an array of powerful stage plays.