Malay Bhowmick is a

Bangladeshi Bangladeshis ( bn, বাংলাদেশী ) are the citizens of Bangladesh, a South Asian country centered on the transnational historical region of Bengal along the eponymous bay. Bangladeshi citizenship was formed in 1971, when the ...

playwright A playwright or dramatist is a person who writes plays. Etymology The word "play" is from Middle English pleye, from Old English plæġ, pleġa, plæġa ("play, exercise; sport, game; drama, applause"). The word "wright" is an archaic English ...

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

, director, and

educationist Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Var ...

. Bhowmick has a broad role to play in the movement of

pedestrian A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In modern times, the term usually refers to someone walking on a road or pavement, but this was not the case historically. The meaning of pedestrian is displayed with ...

s, especially in the open play movement in the northern region of Bangladesh. Although

professor Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an Academy, academic rank at university, universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who pr ...

of the

Management Studies Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. It is the art and science of managing resources of the business. Management includes the activities ...

Department of Rajshahi University, he is better known as a playwright. Bhowmick has also served as chairperson of the Department of

Theater Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actor, actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The p ...

and Music at Rajshahi. He is the recipient of

Bangla Academy Literary Award The Bangla Academy Literary Award ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি সাহিত্য পুরস্কার; ''Bangla Academy Shahitya Puroshkar''), is given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius i ...

(2017) and

Shilpakala Padak Shilpakala Padak is an award instituted by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) to recognize ten established artists for their contributions to the fields of Bangladeshi arts, theater, music, dance, instrumental music, folk music and film and other ...

(2020).

Birth and family life

Malay Bhowmick was born on 1 May 1956 in a village of Kansona, Ullahpara, Sirajganj district, Bangladesh. His father, Shibendra Nath Bhowmick, was a respected college principal and his mother- Niyoti Bhowmick- was a homemaker. Malay Bhowmick is the third sibling of three brothers and three sisters. In 1983, Malay Bhowmick tied knots with Swapna Banerjee, headmistress of a school. Together they have a daughter: Barnana Bhowmick. She is currently serving as a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at

Jagannath University Jagannath University (JnU) ( bn, জগন্নাথ বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ''Jagannātha biśbabidyālaẏa'', University Acrostic : জবি or JnU) is a state-funded public university at 9–10, Chittaranjan Avenue in Sa ...

Education

Malay Bhowmick earned his M.Com.(Masters of Commerce) degree in management studies from the University of Rajshahi in 1978.

Profession

Currently, Malay Bhowmick is serving as a professor of the Department of Management Studies at the University of Rajshahi. He is also a Bangladeshi playwright, actor, director and educationalist.

Career

Malay Bhowmick commenced his career as a university professor in 1982 at the Department of Management Studies at the University of Rajshahi. From the year 2003–2006, he served as the Chairperson of the same department. He was also the Chairperson of the Department of Theatre and Music from 2009 to 2011. Since his childhood, Malay Bhowmick is passionate about performing arts and engrossed himself in creative activities. For many years, Bhowmick has been a theatre personality. His career as a journalist is no less illustrious than his career as an academician. From 1977 to 1999, Bhowmick worked as a journalist at the Daily Sangbad- a notable newspaper of the country. In the nineties, Malay Bhowmick wrote columns for the ''Daily Sangbad'' under the pen name Uttarer Ulukhagra. He is now a well-known columnist for ''

Prothom Alo ''The Daily Prothom Alo'' ( bn, প্রথম আলো) is a daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka in the Bengali language. It is the largest circulated newspaper in Bangladesh. According to National Media Survey 2018, conducte ...

'' and for the ''

Daily Jugantor ''Daily Jugantor'' ( bn, দৈনিক যুগান্তর) is a Bengali daily newspaper in Bangladesh. The newspaper is printed and published by Jamuna Printing and Publishing Ltd. established in 1999, and administrative operations are o ...

''. He now writes under the pen name: 'Bohe Prantajan'. Bhowmick played a leading role in organizing the Rajshahi University Cultural Alliance in 1984. For the next 7 years (1984-1993), he served as the convener of this alliance. From 1985 to 1991, he was a member of the Secretarial Committee of the National Committee of the Mukto Natok (Open Drama). Malay Bhowmick has been elected a member of the Presidium member of the Bangladesh Group Theater Federation numerous times. He is one of the executive members of the International Theater Institute (Bangladesh Centre). Since 2010, he has been a member of the Central Council of

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy ( bn, শিল্পকলা একাডেমি; National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts) is the principal state-sponsored national cultural center of Bangladesh. History It is the national academy of f ...

. He is also a member of the academic council of the

University of Rajshahi The University of Rajshahi, also known as Rajshahi University or RU ( bn, রাজশাহী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়), is a public co-educational research university in Bangladesh situated near the northern Bangladeshi cit ...

and

Jahangirnagar University Jahangirnagar University ( JU) is a publicly funded university located in Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the only fully residential university in Bangladesh. It operated as a project until 1973, when the 'Jahangirnagar Muslim University Act' w ...

. From 2000 to 2002, Bhowmick was a member of the board of governors of

Bangladesh Open University The Bangladesh Open University ( bn, বাংলাদেশ উন্মুক্ত বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়) or BOU is a public university with its main campus in Board Bazar, Gazipur District, Dhaka Division. It is the Lis ...

. Not only did he receive advanced training in theatre,

journalism Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the "news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree. The word, a noun, applies to the occupation (profes ...

, and education but also conducted several workshops and seminars on them to share his knowledge. Malay Bhowmick is one of the founders of the theatre group named Anushilan Natyadal which was established in 1979. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Institute of Culture and Theater for Development.

Theatre

Malay Bhowmick has acted in over 35 plays hitherto. From 1977 to 1980, Bhowmick was a regular actor at

Bangladesh Betar Bangladesh Betar ( bn, বাংলাদেশ বেতার; ), or BB is the state-owned radio broadcaster of Bangladesh, initially established as the Dhaka station of All India Radio in 1939. It was later made part of Radio Pakistan. After t ...

, Rajshahi. He has worked as a playwright on BTV and various other private televisions. Among the TV dramas, Malay Bhowmick can be spotted in 'Aat Prohorer Golpo', 'Sundori' (serial drama), and 'Bishwas'. In contribution to theatre in Bangladesh is unparalleled. He has written 27 plays (basic in character) and has directed 37 plays.

Plays (written)

# Bhnui (ভুঁই) # Goru (গরু) # Shatagronthi (শতগ্রন্থি) # Protipaksha (প্রতিপক্ষ) # Bibi Alir Vote (বিবি আলীর ভোট) # Shabbabochhed (শবব্যবচ্ছেদ) # Chowrasta (চৌরাস্তা) # Bahe Prantojan (বহে প্রান্তজন) # Daidayitto (দায়দায়িত্ব) # Bhavmurti (ভাবমূর্তি) # Sunagoriker Sandhane (সুনাগরিকের সন্ধানে) # Tunn (তূণ, যৌথ রচনা) # Gher (ঘের) # Sangcromon (সংক্রমণ) # Bhumikonya (ভুমিকন্যা) # Hotyar Shilpokala (হত্যার শিল্পকলা) # Uttarkhona (উত্তরখনা) # Dondo (দণ্ড) # Jagoraner Pala (জাগরণের পালা) # Durjan Barjan (দুর্জন বর্জন) # Bokboki Begum (বকবকি বেগম) # Ami Rana Bhai Bolchhi (আমি রানা ভাই বলছি) # Interghat (ইন্টারঘ্যাঁট) # Enternet (এন্তারনেট) # Mawsangketton (ম্যাওসংকেত্তন) # Buderamer Kupe Para (বুদেরামের কূপে পড়া) # Nayak O Khalnayak (নায়ক ও খলনায়ক)

Plays (directed)

# Sat Manusher Khnoje (সৎ মানুষের খোঁজে) # Rajjotok (রাজযোটক) # Ayna (আয়না) # Ora Kadam Ali (ওরা কদম আলী) # Jodi Amra Sobai (যদি আমরা সবাই) # Khapa Paglar Panchal (ক্ষ্যাপা পাগলার প্যাঁচাল) # Iblish (ইবলিস) # Basan (বাসন) # Bhnui (ভুঁই) # Hattomalar Opare (হট্টমালার ওপারে) # Shabdorshon (শবদর্শন) # Satya Vuter Gappo (সত্যি ভূতের গপ্প) # Drabyagun (দ্রব্যগুণ) # New Royel Kichha (নিউ রয়েল কিসসা) # Pawnaganda (পাওনাগন্ডা) # Chokhe Aungul Dada (চোখে আঙুল দাদা) # Kinu Kaharer Thetar (কিনু কাহারের থেটার) # Hothobondh (হঠবনধ) # Bibi Alir Vote (বিবি আলীর ভোট) # Shabbabochhed (শবব্যবচ্ছেদ) # Dewan Gazir Kichha (দেওয়ান গাজীর কিসসা) # Galpo Hekim Saheb (গল্প হেকিম সাহেব) # Daidayitto (দায়দায়িত্ব) # Bhavmurti (ভাবমূর্তি) # Sunagoriker Sandhane (সুনাগরিকের সন্ধানে) # Bhumikonya (ভুমিকন্যা) # Jonum (জনুম, Santali drama) # Rather Roshi (রথের রশি) # Uttarkhona (উত্তরখনা) # Dando (দণ্ড) # Jagoroner Pala (জাগরণের পালা) # Durjan Barjan (দুর্জন বর্জন) # Interghat (ইন্টারঘ্যাঁট) # Enternet (এন্তারনেট) # Mawsangketton (ম্যাওসংকেত্তন) # Buderamer Kupe Para (বুদেরামের কূপে পড়া) # Nayak O Khalnayak (নায়ক ও খলনায়ক)

Publications

The Oitijja Publisher collected 12 basic plays by Malay Bhowmick and published them as a book titled ‘Malay Bhowmicker Natyasongroho’. On top of that, his research articles, essays, columns and other creative writings have been published in various local and foreign newspapers and journals. Malay Bhowmick, Freedom fighter of 1971

Role in the Liberation War

Malay Bhowmick is a valiant freedom fighter. In 1971, at the age of 15, Malay Bhowmick, a fierce teenager, left his home to fight for the liberation war of Bangladesh. He fought under

Sector 7 Sector Seven, Sector 7, or variations thereon may refer to: * Sector 7 (book), ''Sector 7'' (book), a wordless picture book created and illustrated by David Wiesner * Sector 7 (film), ''Sector 7'' (film), a 2011 South Korean 3D science fiction acti ...

Role of Democratic Movement

In addition to his active participation in the Mass Revolt in 1969 and the liberation war in 1971, Bhowmick had an undeniable role in the mass movements against autocracy in 1990 and 1996. In 1993, when cultural activities were banned at the University of Rajshahi, Malay Bhowmick did not hesitate to protest. This then subjected him to torture by the police. In 1996, under the dynamic leadership of Bhowmick, Anushilan Nattadal, Udichi Rajshahi Zila Sangsad and Rajshahi Theatre jointly formed ‘Janatar Moncho’. The satirical script he wrote to recognize the manipulative election of the government of the time, was enacted at this very stage. On 24 August 2007, Malay Bhowmick protested against the government's anti-human rights activities. As a repercussion of this protest, special forces of the Army backed up by the caretaker government arrested him along with few other teachers of Rajshahi and Dhaka University. Upon remanding him, they tortured him and sent him to jail. In the face of intense mobilization, the then caretaker government was forced to release him from jail on 25 December 2007; he was later proven innocent by the court. He has also played a significant role in the construction of Teachers Students Cultural Centre (TSCC) and opening of Theatre and Music Department of Rajshahi University.

Awards and honors

Malay Bhowmick has been awarded the

Bangla Academy Award The Bangla Academy Literary Award ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি সাহিত্য পুরস্কার; ''Bangla Academy Shahitya Puroshkar''), is given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius i ...

in 2017 for his contribution to Bengali literature. In 2020, he was awarded for the 'Shilpakala Padak', provided by

. He was also awarded the ‘Medal of Drama Activist’ by Lok Natyadal, Dhaka in 1992. Other recognitions include the ‘ Munir Chowdhury Award’ in 2008, the ‘Aranyak Dipu Smriti Padak’ in 2009 by the Aranyak Natyadal and 'Akshay Kumar Maitreya Honors' in 2021. He addresses the audience as a guest speaker at the ‘World Theater Day’ organized in coordination of the International Theater Institute Bangladesh Center and Bangladesh Group Theater Federation on 25 March 2008. His drama ‘Uttarkhona’ is now included in the syllabus of the Theatre Department at

Rabindra Bharati University Rabindra Bharati University is a public research university in Kolkata, India. It was founded on May 8, 1962, under the Rabindra Bharati Act of the Government of West Bengal in 1961, to mark the birth centenary of the poet Rabindranath Tagore. ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhowmick, Malay Living people University of Rajshahi faculty Bangladeshi male stage actors Bangladeshi theatre people Bengali Hindus Bangladeshi Hindus Recipients of Bangla Academy Award Place of birth missing (living people) 1956 births