A candid interview with Milon:




It is a sad day for Bangla litature, theater in particular. The maverick playwright left us abruptly. It's not too long ago we saw him shine in his own rite. Prof. Sirajul Islam Chowdhury termed him as one of the best Bangla playwrights of all time. Let's pray for the departed soul and keep his spirit and work alive.

Excerpt from Daily Star:

Selim, a pioneer of theatre movement in Bangladesh, a researcher, an organiser and a professor of Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University, was born in Shenerkhil village of Shonagazi upazila of Feni on August 18, 1949.

He received his master's degree from Bangla Department of Dhaka University. In 1995 he earned PhD from Jahangirnagar University on 'Medieval Bengali Drama'.

Selim was a founder member of Dhaka Theatre. He along with Nasir Uddin Yusuf formed Bangladesh Gram Theatre in 1981-82 and Selim was its chief adviser.

His first article 'Negro Literature' was published on the literature page in the 'Dainik Pakistan' in 1968. His first radio drama ' Biporit Tomoshay' was broadcast in 1969 while his first TV drama 'Ghum Nei' in 1970.

He also compiled 'Bangla Natyakosh' -- the lone drama related anthology in Bangla. Selim Al Deen's drama is included in textbook curriculum of Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University Jadavpur University and Rabindra Bharati University in India. He was also the originator of Fusion Theory and New Ethnic Theatre.

The legendary playwright was honoured with many prestigious awards nationally and internationally, including the Bangla Academy Literature Award, National Film Award, Ekushey Padak and Olokto Shahitya Puroshkar.

Kittonkhola, Keramat Mongol, Hat Hadai, Chaka, Joiboti Koinnar Mon, Bonopangshul, Nimojjon and many other plays created by Selim have left an indelible impression on the audience.

A number of his TV serials including Gronthikgan Kahey and Chhaya Shikari have won plaudits from the television audience as well.