Renowned Director Syed Jamil Ahmed Returns to Acting After Four Decades
Syed Jamil Ahmed, a prominent theater director with over four decades of experience, is set to return to acting. He will portray a judge in the play 'Golmatha ar Chokmatha' by Spordha Academy. This marks his first acting role since the 1984 production of 'Phanimansa'. The play, based on a work by German playwright Bertolt Brecht, has been translated by Aniruddha Anu and is directed by Mohsina Akhter. "Golmatha ar Chokmatha" will have five performances over three days at the Neelima Ibrahim Auditorium of the Bangladesh Mahila Samiti. Showtimes are July 23rd at 7:30 PM, July 24th at 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and July 25th at 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Ahmed expressed pride in working under his student Mohsina Akhter's direction, noting her distinct approach and the joy of their collaboration. He believes that acting on stage provides invaluable insights for directors, enhancing their understanding of performance and enriching their directorial work. The production features a cast spanning four generations, from Baby Boomers to Gen Z, including actors like Titas Zia, Faiza Chowdhury, and Fatema Nujhat Quaderi. Spordha Academy previously staged the play with students from its first batch. Tickets are available for purchase on the website Quikite. Ahmed, a former Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, has directed numerous acclaimed plays such as 'Chaka', 'Bishad Shindhu', and 'Jibon o Rajnoitik Bastobota'.
The return of a veteran director like Syed Jamil Ahmed to acting after a long hiatus highlights the enduring appeal of live performance and the symbiotic relationship between directing and acting. This event underscores the value of practical experience in understanding the nuances of performance, which can inform directorial choices. The multi-generational cast suggests an effort to bridge artistic traditions and foster intergenerational dialogue within the theater community. Such collaborations can offer valuable learning opportunities for all involved, potentially leading to innovative artistic expressions. The production's engagement with Brechtian themes, often critical of societal structures, invites audiences to reflect on contemporary issues through a historical lens, promoting critical thinking about governance and political realities.
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