(From left) Selina Hossain, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman and Habibur Rahman Khan at the premiere of the documentary.Photo: Mumit M.

A documentary on the life of Language Movement martyr Shaheed Abul Barkat was premiered at Shaheed Zia Auditorium, National Museum on August 5. Noted actor Rokeya Prachy is the director of the documentary, titled "Bayanno'r Michhiley." Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies (BFFS) was the organiser of the premiere.
Prior to the screening, a brief discussion was held at the venue, where Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman was the chief guest. In his speech Justice Rahman applauded Prachy for her work and said that it is a big move for her, making her debut as a filmmaker through the documentary.
Noted litterateur Selina Hossain was the special guest. In her speech Selina Hossain said, "Prachy's work once again reminds us of our roots. This is certainly an accomplishment for a debutant filmmaker."
Habibur Rahman Khan, president, BFFS presided over the session.
The 52-minute documentary features the early life of Barkat as well as interviews of noted personalities. Abul Barkat was born in Murshidabad, West Bengal on June 16, 1927. After completing his higher secondary education from a local college he moved to Dhaka.
He got admitted in the Department of Political Science, Dhaka University and graduated in 1951. On February 21, 1952, he embraced martyrdom to establish Bangla as the state language of the then East Pakistan. He was a Masters student at that time.
The documentary features several footage of Shaheed Barkat's village, where an annual fair is held prior to 'Ekushey February' in his honour.
Part of the documentary also features interviews of renowned personalities. Artist Murtaza Baseer, Professor Rafiqul Islam, Dr. Mirza Mazharul Islam, among others, talked about Shaheed Barkat and his contribution.
Prachy researched for the documentary as well. M.R.A. Taha, a relative of Shaheed Barkat, is the producer of the film. Asaduzzaman Noor provided the narration.