Azad Abul Kalam, a soul entirely dedicated to theatre, turns 50 today (October 26). His creative horizon spans from acting in theatre to TV plays. He is equally adept as a playwright and director. He joined noted theatre troupe Aranyak at an early stage of his life and later founded the versatile theatre troupe Prachyanat.

In celebration of his 50th birth anniversary, members of Prachyant has organised a three day (October 26-28) programme titled "Tarunno O Taronar 50 Azad Abul Kalam" at Bangladesh Mahila Samity Mancha and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).

The inauguration of the programme will start at 6pm today while a Prachyanat production "Circus Circus", written and directed by Azad Abul Kalam, will be staged at Mahila Samity Auditorium, Natok Sarani, Dhaka. The play "Bou Basanti", produced by Udichi, will be staged at the same venue at 7pm on October 27. Written by Ratan Siddiqui, Azad Abul Kalam has directed the play.

October 28, featuring a daylong celebration programme on the title "Bondhu Sanniddhe Azad Abul Kalam", will be held at National Theatre Hall auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Prachyanat artistes will present "Shobdochhobi" at 10am on the day. It will be followed by other proceedings like paying birthday wishes to the thespian; fun and merriment with the performance of songs and poems; an entertaining gathering and open discussion will try to find out the little known stories of Azad Abul Kalam followed by an open adda with tea and lunch.       

The highlight of the day is the staging of a popular Prachyanat play "Koinya" at National Theatre Hall auditorium of BSA at 7pm. Murad Khan has written the play while Azad Abul Kalam has directed it. Several artists will portray paintings at the lobby of National Theatre Hall and they will present portraits to Azad Abul Kalam at 10pm. Apart from Prachyanat members and fans of Azad Abul Kalam, theatre activists from others troupes are expected to join the celebration programme.