DU theatre department receives Ali Zaker Grant from Mongol Deep Foundation

The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Dhaka has been awarded the prestigious Ali Zaker Grant on Research and Practice by the Mongol Deep Foundation for the second time. The grant was presented at an event held at Batighor – Smritite Sharaney Aly Zaker.

The grant, amounting to Tk5 lakh, is designated for postgraduate students to support the completion of their internship and research work. A total of 16 students from the department's Master of Arts (MA) programme for 2023 received the scholarship.

During the event, MA student Nasrin Sultana presented a pictorial report showcasing the execution of research projects funded by the first grant awarded in 2023.

Last year, part of the grant was used to produce a research-based theatre production titled Shiddhanto, directed by Dr Israfil Shahin. Additionally, the grant funded research papers by four MA students.

Obaidur Rahman Sohan explored the perception of biological identity among the Hijra community in Bangladesh in his research Perception of Biological Identity of the Hijra People in Bangladesh: The Case of Agunjatra. Md Tanvir Ahmed examined the contemporary practice and significance of Sanskrit Natya in his paper Sanskrit Natya: Current Practice and Importance. Pranab Ranjan Bala contributed research on Leela Kirtan and current society. Nasrin Sultana studied secular rituals in modern theatre practice in Bangladesh in her research Research and Analysis on the Presence of Secular Rituals in Modern Theatre Practice in Bangladesh.

The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies expressed gratitude to the Mongol Deep Foundation for its continued support in fostering academic research and practical theatre production. The grant underscores the significance of theatre research and performance in Bangladesh and continues to inspire students to explore new dimensions in the field.