IPDC Finance’s Agraz: Looking back at the journey of Ataur Rahman

Agraz, an online event organised by IPDC Finance, highlights the journey of Bangladesh to becoming an independent nation. Hosted by Anis A Khan, advisor of Tyser Risk Management, Bangladesh, the event features stories of noted Bangladeshi personalities, their memories of the Liberation War, their ideas for Bangladesh, and their vision for the country's prosperous future.

The 23rd episode of the series featured noted cultural personality Ataur Rahman, the 'Moncho Sharothi' of Bangladeshi theatre.

The renowned director spoke about the sacrifices of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family during the Liberation War. "The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's eldest son Sheikh Kamal loved theatre," he shared. "I had the privilege of seeing him act live on stage, and his powerful stage presence enhanced my fondness towards him."

 Ataur Rahman's friends gave him the title, 'Moncho Sharothi'.  "I believe it suits me very well if I look back on my fifty-five-year journey with theatre," added Ataur Rahman, the Ekushey Padak and Independence Award recipient.

A strong feeling of patriotism has always resided in Ataur Rahman. "Hailing from Noakhali, I grew up hearing my mother recite poems," he recalled. "Back then, my father used to bring me the Golden Treasury containing poems of many famous authors. Growing up with such parents helped instill a sense of responsibility towards preserving our culture and our tradition with me since my childhood days."

Ataur Rahman later moved to Dhaka where he first got to know the writer and director Abdullah Al Mamun, "I used to bother him a lot, requesting for minor roles in his productions," laughed the thespian. "Later, I managed to bag a role in the plays, 'Rituraj Bosanto', and Rabindranath Tagore's 'Tasher Desh', which helped me keep my hopes up for being a theatre artist."  

Ataur Rahman founded the theatre troupe Nagorik Natya Sampradaya in 1968. The first stage production of this troupe was an adaptation of Sophocles' "Oedipus", directed by Zia Haider. Rahman directorial debut "Buro Shaliker Ghare Ro", based on Michael Madhusudan Dutt's play of the same name, was released after independence.

The session concluded with a philosophical note from Ataur Rahman to his audience. "We all live through the moments of our lives, and we must never forget that art is for entertainment. It comes from within and can never be planned," he concluded.