"The local theatre activists received me with a paper garland as they failed to get a floral garland" - Ataur Rahman

Ataur has adapted many stage plays and has directed stage plays for his troupe Nagorik Natya Sampradaya and other troupes as well.

Plays directed by Ataur Rahman such as Buro Saliker Gharae Ro, Shajahan, Galileo, Irsha, Himmati Ma, Rakto Karabi and Troyee have won appreciation.

In addition, Ataur is a special grade actor of Bangladesh Television. He is also the winner of many prestigious awards, including Ekushey Padak -- 2001 and Martyr Muneir Chowdhury Award -- 2000.

The Daily Star had a chitchat with him recently.

What is the current theatre scenario in Bangladesh?
From the late '90s onwards, theatre has lost its momentum. There are many reasons behind this phenomenon. Many quality theatre activists are now involved with TV plays. Nowadays, theatre exponents do not have discourses as they used to earlier because of groupism and personality clashes.

What role do you visualise for BGTF?
I think BGTF should forsake coteries and politics. Only hardcore theatre personalities should work with BGTF in their common interest.

How do you evaluate the talent of the younger generation?
Undoubtedly there are many talented theatre activists in the country. However, nowadays our theatre has become less versatile. The younger generation is interested in television plays and they do not study theatre much. Moreover, I admit that we have failed to create quality successors. In fact, the bigger groups should enlarge their ambit so that the new talents can prove their potential. Otherwise the current stagnancy of our theatre will continue.

Will you share some interesting experience which you encountered as a theatre activist?
In the late ‘90s, as the chairperson of BGTF, I attended a conference in a district town of north Bengal. The local theatre activists arranged my reception. However, they received me with a paper garland as they failed to get a floral garland and forced me to lead a procession in the town. Surprisingly it was the Eid Ul Azha season, when people decorate the livestock with garlands.

Also once while acting in the stage play Dewan Gazir Kissa, I had to use spectacles. Interestingly during the show my spectacles broke which I failed to realise and continued acting. However, at the sight of my broken spectacles, my co-actors Aly Zaker and Abul Hayat burst into laughter.