Tropa Majumdar awarded Dipu Smrity Padak '04

An elated Tropa holding the crest

On August 29, Aranyak arranged the award giving ceremony at Mahila Samity Stage. Presided over by Mamunur Rashid, the special guests were Aly Zaker and Nasiruddin Yousuff.

After the welcome speech by Shah Alam Dulal, the secretary general of Aranyak, Yousuff said, "The success of our children is always a source of pleasure. I consider Tropa as my daughter. I have seen her enthusiastic stage performances in plays such as Antigone and Madhobi. Her directorial work in the play Mukti also deserves plaudits."

Aly Zaker said, "When I see young talents such as Tropa I realise the immense potential theatre offers for aspiring actors like her. In fact, she is the best amongst the young theatre talents in the country. I think there is hardly anyone to match Tropa in the role of Antigone."

Mamunur Rashid said, "From this year onwards we will biennially arrange the Dipu Smrity Padak ceremony. As Aminul Ehsan Dipu was a young theatre activist of Aranyak, we will give the award only to the young theatre talents. Against this backdrop we are honouring Tropa Majumdar."

Asked for her reaction, Tropa said, "The secret of my success is a passion for the stage. Such an award places more responsibility on its recipients. I do not want to disappoint anyone who believes in my potential."

After the ceremony hosted by Harunur Rashid, Aranyak Natya Dal staged their popular play Mayur Shinghashon. A political satire, Mannan Heera's play is set against Bangladesh's political scenario of the 1960s. Many patriots sacrificed themselves for the country, but they have not received their due, because of the manipulations of the immoral leaders. Through the tragic life of the play's protagonist, the playwright narrates the untold stories of our political arena. Shah Alam Dulal is the director of Mayur Shinghashon.