Eminent playwright Mannan Hira passes away

Eminent playwright and director Mannan Hira has passed away. 

He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Islami Bank Central Hospital in Kakrail, Dhaka on Wednesday night.

According to media reports, the Bangla Academy Award winner dramatist died following a severe heart attack.

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow at his death. 

In separate condolence messages, they said that the nation will remember Hira's unique contributions to the country’s drama field, including street drama movement. 

They also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family. 

Hira was the recipient of the 2006 Bangla Academy Literary Award for his contributions to the field of drama.

The famous dramatist was a member of the Aranyak Natyadal and was also the president of Bangladesh Path Natok Parishad. 

He, in 2014, debuted as a filmmaker through – Ekatturer Khudiram – a children's film set during the Liberation War of 1971.

Hira wrote around 15 theatre plays including Laal Jamin, Bhager Manush, Moyur Singhasan, and Sada-Kalo, and of them, Murkha Loker Murkha Kotha is a street play.