Actors of Theatre Art Unit stage “Khepa Paglar Pechal”. Photo: Mumit M.

A memorial programme honouring the recently deceased cultural personality Sayeed Ahmed was held at the Central Shaheed Minar premises on February 7. Organised by Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) and Shammilito Sangskritik Jote (SSJ), the programme featured speeches by eminent personalities.

The weeklong National Street Theatre Festival also came to an end on the day. The festival was organised by BGTF.

At the programme, speakers termed Ahmed "as a pioneer, adding a new dimension to the Bangladeshi theatre movement". They also credited Ahmed with generating global interest in our theatre and arts.

Among the speakers were AAMS Arefin Sidduque, Vice Chancellor, Dhaka University; Ramendu Majumdar, president of International Theatre Institute Worldwide; Nasiruddin Yousuff, president of SSJ; Liaquat Ali Lucky, chairman, BGTF; lawmaker and media personality Asaduzzaman Noor, cultural personality Mofidul Haque and theatre personality Ataur Rahman.

On the last day of the street theatre festival, several troupes including Swattik, Theatre Art Unit, Prachyanat and Subachan staged their productions.

Theatre Art Unit staged "Khepa Paglar Pechal". Written by SM Solaiman, the play was directed by Rokeya Rafiq Baby. Prachyanat staged a new street play "Dui Duguney Char". The play was conceptualised and directed by Rahul Anand.

Over 35 plays by reputed and lesser-known theatre troupes of Dhaka were staged throughout the festival. The festival will travel around the country throughout this month.