DoT Desk
Indian theatre activist-singer Debojit Bandyopadhyay received Munier Chowdhury Memorial Award and actor-director-playright Pantha Shahriar received Mohammad Zakaria Memorial Award, respectively, at an awards programme held at Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, reports The New Age.
The programme was organised by Theatre, a leading theatre troupe, marking late playwright Munier Chowdhury’s 93rd birth anniversary, which was observed on Tuesday.
Theatre has been conferring the Munier Chowdhury award since 1989 and Mohammad Zakaria award since 1997.
Each award consists of a medal and prize money.
Thespian Ramendu Majumdar presented the medals and Theatre president Ferdousi Majumdar handed over prize money to the recipients. Debojit Bandyopadhyay received Tk 50,000 and a medal and Pantha Shahriar received Tk 25,000 and a medal.
After receiving the award, Debojit Bandyopadhyay said, ‘I am honuored and humbled to accept this award named after Munier Chowdhury.’
Debojit Bandyopadhyay became involved in theatre in his childhood days against the wishes of his family. He has penned songs for many Indian and Bangladeshi theatre troupes.
He is also the chief of the Kolkata-based troupe Theatre Academy.
Pantha Shahriar, a member of Nagarik Natya Sampraday, has been involved in theatre for over 25 years.
Pantha joined theatre troupe Drama Circle in 1990 and worked there for five years before moving to Nagarik Natya Sampraday.
He has directed many popular productions and acted in 15 plays.
‘I want to dedicate the award to all young theatre activists,’ said Pantha.
Following the awards ceremony, Debojit Bandyopadhyay entertained the audience rendering self-penned songs.
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