Eminent thespian Aly Zaker delivered an impassioned speech about saving the country's entertainment industry, and Iranian troupe Crazy Body Croup gave a mesmerizing performance to close the BotTala Rongomela in the capital's Mahila Samity auditorium on Saturday.

Aly Zaker was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival - which he received from BotTala Chairman Prof. Mesbah Kamal. Although he is currently physically unwell, the eminent actor-director promised to continue working. "I have a lot left to do. I want to move forward with all of you beside me," he said. The iconic cultural personality also spoke about what he described as a "mass media revolution," pointing to the recent movement by actors and producers of TV raising various demands to protect the country's entertainment industry. He said the movement would have to be unified and not of a double standard, adding that artistes cannot carry

out a movement to save the channels. He thanked the government for taking some steps to prevent the proliferation of foreign TV shows, but said artistes have to raise their own voice, and not of the chan-

nets'. "We artistes must stand against everything that is wrong, and if it hampers someone's business, then that's not the artiste's headache," he said. "If there is a

revolt, it has to be an all-encompassing one, so the world gets the message that they cannot toy with Bangladesh," Zaker said, adding "We will not let our country's culture go to ruins."

Iran's Crazy Body Croup took the stage next for their production "The Mud", and in a 40-minute display left the jam-packed Nilima Ibrahim auditorium in awe.

Combining martial art form Wushu, contemporary dance, mime, physical theatre and contortion, the two-person play conveyed its message of the struggle between the creator and the creation, using clay, mud and water along with cool light projection, ample use of smoke and brilliant live background music on stage. Yaser Khaseb, who wrote and directed the play, is one of the two characters on stage, and his physical flexibility, strength and overall body language remained a testament why this production has traveled the world and gained praise everywhere.

The festival came to an end with an exuberant celebration by the members of BotTala, who held the 10-day 'Rongomela' that included new plays, live music and theatre on a second stage, honouring theatre activists from across the country and other sidelining activities drawing crowds consistently. The Cultural Affairs Ministry, EMK Center, Dhaka Bank and Prime Bank assisted in the festival.