The nation will observe the 92nd birth anniversary of eminent academic, playwright and cultural thinker Prof Momtajuddin Ahmed tomorrow (Sunday, January 18, 2026) in Dhaka.
To mark the occasion, Theatre will host a programme at the seminar room of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at 6:00 pm, organisers said. Moreover, the event will feature discussions, music, and recitations.
During the programme, writer and cultural activist Abu Sayeed Tulu will present an essay titled ‘Momtajuddin Ahmed: Kaler Dogdhibhuto Uttapto Kathakar’. The essay will explore Ahmed’s intellectual legacy, creative resistance, and cultural engagement. In addition, performances will celebrate his contributions to theatre and literature.
Prof Momtajuddin Ahmed wrote 25 plays for stage, radio, and television. He also directed several of them. Most of his works were created for his theatre troupe, Theatre (Natok Shoroni). The troupe played a key role in shaping Bangladesh’s progressive theatre.
His notable works include ‘Ami’, ‘Lalu Shalu Ebong Syed Waliullah’, ‘Ki Chaho Shankhachil’, and ‘Raja Anushwarer Pala’. Other acclaimed plays include ‘Shadhinota Amar Shadhinota’, ‘Bokulporer Shadhinota’, ‘Shaat Ghater Kana Kori’, and ‘Barnochora’.
Ahmed also adapted Western classics. He turned a Molière satire into ‘Ohey Tanchak’ and a Shakespeare comedy into ‘Khamakha Khamakha’. Furthermore, he rewrote Mir Mosharraf Hossain’s ‘Jamidar Darpan’, giving it a modern perspective.
Known for his sharp satire and political insight, Ahmed used theatre as a platform for dialogue and critique. As a result, his works remain relevant today for their clarity and moral urgency.
He received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1976 and the Ekushey Padak in 1997. Later, in 2008, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy honoured him as one of the country’s top playwrights. He also won the Alaol Literary Award.
Organisers said the anniversary programme will encourage audiences to revisit his works. It will also help reflect on his enduring influence in contemporary culture.
