Salim Al Din Birth Anniversary Marked With Events in Dhaka and Savar
Cultural organizations and universities in Dhaka and Jahangir University are observing the birth anniversary of playwright Salim Al Din. The multi-day tribute features exhibitions, theatre festivals, and commemorative programs organized by prominent theatre groups.
Cultural organizations, academic departments, and theatre groups have rolled out extensive programs across Dhaka and Jahangir University to observe the birth anniversary of renowned playwright and dramatist Selim Al Din. The nationwide tributes, taking place on August 17, 2026, bring together various cultural bodies to celebrate the lasting literary and theatrical legacy of the celebrated visionary through dedicated commemorative events.
As part of the broader celebrations, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has hosted a comprehensive two-day program curated specifically around the Salim Al Din Archive. This dedicated archive showcase offers visitors and theatre enthusiasts an in-depth look into the extensive life, works, and contributions of the late playwright to the contemporary theatrical landscape of the region.
In addition to the archival exhibitions at the Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Gram Theatre have jointly launched a major three-day theatre festival. This collaborative festival serves as a central hub for performances and gatherings, drawing participants and audiences from across the capital to honour the enduring influence of Selim Al Din on Bengali drama and performance arts.
The commemorative events span multiple prominent locations, including Dhaka and the campus of Jahangir University, where students, faculty members, and cultural activists have gathered. Various associated institutions—such as Jahangir University itself, the Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangir University, the Department of Theatre Art at Jagannath University, Sundaram, Swapnodol, and the Salim Al Din Archive—are actively participating in or acknowledging the wide-ranging celebratory schedule.
A host of notable cultural figures and academics, including Ajfar Hossain, Nasir Uddin Yousuff, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Anon Zaman, AH Rajon, Rafiqul Islam, and Zahid Ripon, are associated with the observance. Through these collaborative theatrical productions, scholarly retrospectives, and institutional exhibitions, the cultural community continues to highlight the monumental contributions of Selim Al Din to modern theatre.
