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SELIM AL DEEN FEST 2012

Seminar on Wari-Bateswar artefacts

Jamil Mahmud
As part of the ongoing Selim Al Deen Festival, a seminar on artefacts found at archaeological sites Wari and Bateswar was held at the Seminar Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, on August 28.
The seminar tried to establish a link between Al Deen's views and ancient civilisation that thrived in this land. As experts are presuming that the Wari-Bateswar artefacts are approximately 2500 years old, Al Deen's view that theatre practice or performing arts here has a thousand year old tradition, makes sense.
A paper, titled “Wari-Bateswar: Shekorer Shondhaney”, jointly prepared by archaeologist and Professor Sufi Mostafizur Rahman and Mohammad Habibullah Pathan was read out at the seminar, while Professor Rahman made a multimedia presentation.
Mohammad Habibullah Pathan is the son of the late Mohammad Hanif Pathan, a school teacher who first brought the archaeological importance of Wari-Bateswar to light in the 1930s.
The lecture by Professor Rahman highlighted the recently found artefacts, terracotta and other archaeological elements from the sites. Professor Rahman used images of terracotta items found in other sites such as Harappa and Ajanta and made a comparative study of them with the artefacts found in Wari-Bateswar.
Showing some images of painted semi-precious beads, Professor Rahman claimed that a proper research of these beads could reveal a new history of
this land.
“So far we know that history of painting in this land initiated during the Paul era. But these beads suggest that long before the Pala era, people here knew how to paint," said Professor Rahman, adding, "Perhaps we have to rewrite our history someday if we can truly unearth these wonders.”
Professor Rahman said that he hopes to find evidence of trade between the people of this land and the Mediterranean civilisations.
His projection also featured images of recent development of the sites as well as other artefacts such as amulets, ornaments and earthen figures of creatures such as tiger and duck.
Professor Anwar Hossain, Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, was the moderator of the seminar. Among others, Nasiruddin Yousuff, convener of the festival committee; Shafiqul Islam, additional secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs; Professor Afsar Ahmed and Professor Shafi Ahmed spoke at the semi-
Apart from distinguished guests, experts, theatre activists, teachers and students took part at the seminar. An exhibition featuring artefacts found in Wari-Bateswar is going on at the lobby of the National Theatre Hall.
Selim Al Deen Foundation and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has arranged the festival to celebrate the playwright's brilliance. Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Gram Theatre are assisting them.