Published: 11:20 AM, 16 July 2026
Abul Hayat conferred ‘Natyajan Award’
Veteran actor, director and playwright Abul Hayat has been conferred the Natyajan Shommanona (Theatre Personality Award) at the opening of the Fourth International Theatre Festival 2026 at the Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University. The seven-day festival began on July 12 and will continue until July 18. It has been organised by the university’s Department of Theatre and Performance Studies as part of the postgraduate examination for the 2023–24 academic session.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Musharof Hossain attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest, while Prof. Dr. Md. Israfil, Vice-Chancellor of Thakurgaon University, formally inaugurated the event. Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Musharof Hossain said veteran theatre personality Abul Hayat has made outstanding contributions to Bangladeshi theatre and continues to inspire younger generations.
Accepting the honour, Abul Hayat said the recognition acknowledged his long career while also reminding him of his responsibility towards future work. “This award is not just an honour for me, it is an expression of everyone’s love,” he said.
Among others, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Emdadul Huda, Dean of the Faculty of Arts; Prof. Dr. Arif Haydar of Rajshahi University; and Prof. Dr. Ismat Ara Bhuiyan Ila, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, attended the programme.
