The 11th death anniversary of Professor Zia Hyder, an icon of modern theater in Bangladesh, will be observed today at his ancestral hometown in Pabna today. Two schools, both named Zia Hyder Progoti Biddaloy, were built there in his honour.

Professor Zia Hyder, who was the founder professor of the Department of Drama in Chatragram University, passed away on this day in 2008 due to cardiac arrest.

He introduced a scholarship for underprivileged university students in 2004 after his retirement, with the amount of retirement benefit that he received. “After his death, his philanthropic mission, ‘Zia Hyder Trust’, was founded in 2009. We aim to continue its work in honour of the great man,” said Makid Hyder, the younger brother of Professor Zia Hyder. “Through the trust, we have established two educational institutions named Zia Hyder Progoti Biddaloy at the Nazirpur village in Pabna Sadar upazila. Over a hundred students, belonging to under-privileged community in the society, are receiving the light of education, free of cost, since the last 10 years.” said Makid, adding that the schools are running by family initiative, and need government support to go forward.

As the founding President of theatre troupe, Nagorik Natya Sampradaya, Professor Hyder made remarkable contributions to the neo-theatre movement in Bangladesh, shortly after the country’s independence. Nagorik Natya Sampradaya was formed under his initiative in 1968. He was the troupe’s President until September 1982. 

 Professor Hyder is also renowned for his books on theatre, such as Theatre-er Katha (a series on the history of world theatre), Stanislavski er Abhinoy Tatwa and Natyakalaye Bibhinya Ism O Epic Theatre. Most of these books are used as references at the theatre departments of the public universities in Bangladesh, as well as Rabindra Bharati University in India. Moreover, he worked determinedly to introduce theatre as an academic subject at university level in Bangladesh.

Zia Hyder Progoti Biddaloy has chalked out day long programs today, marking the death anniversary of the legendary theater organiser.