One who sees life with deep gratitude
Photo Collected
15 days ago I went to Bailey Road to see a play called Love Letters. Ramendu Majumdar and Ferdausi Majumdar participated in the Bengali production of this world famous play. A wonderful evening was spent in pursuit of art-love-memory. I have known Ferdausi Majumdar since my childhood, sitting in Rangpur listening to her inimitable voice in radio dramas.
Ferdausi Majumdar is a bright star of Bengali theater. His voice, acting – all in all, he is a living chapter of the cultural history of Bangladesh. We caught up with him as part of a regular interview titled ‘Crown Cement Experience Light’. His deep understanding of childhood, family, love, acting career, liberation war, stage and life came out in words.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Ferdowsi Majumder was born in Barisal, in June 1943. But grew up in Dhaka. His father Abdul Halim Chowdhury was a Deputy Magistrate. Each child is born in a different district due to employment. Their house was called ‘Darul Afia’, on Central Road off Green Road. Now the name is ‘Matrichaya’.
While telling the story of that house, Ferdousi Majumdar seemed to return to her childhood. Baba was very pious, but not strict. When girls went out, they had to put clothes on their heads, that was the rule. But they used to remove the veil after crossing the shop in front of the house. One day father saw it. Without getting angry, he jokingly said, ‘Tora hianwo jai falai des, maa saman di ghomata di jaas.’ This sense of humor, this humanity is a big feature of his father’s character.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Their family was wonderful. Family of 14 siblings. Elder brother Kabir Chowdhury, then martyr intellectual Munir Chowdhury. Ferdausi Majumdar was the 11th child. Father was uncompromising about his children’s education. He used to say, ‘If I study in Jegun, I will study in Hegun.’ He had a deep belief that girls should be equally educated.
In Ferdousi Majumdar’s own words, she was not a very ambitious student. He was happy when he got 55 in the exam, while his brother Shelly got upset when he got 95. But this ordinary girl once became a unique name in the theater world of Bangladesh.
The story of the first act is like a movie scene. Baba announced that drama, music cannot be played. But Ferdausi used to watch people standing at the window of that house. How he walks, how he talks—all under his observation.
One day Munir Chowdhury came and said, he needs an actress in his play. The character is a robot. Just walk and talk. That’s the beginning. The name of the play is Doctor Abdullah’s factory. Munir Chowdhury’s praise after the performance made him brave.
He didn’t stop after that. Stage, television, radio – everywhere he became unique. In 1965, he acted in Bangladesh Television’s inaugural drama Ektola Dotola. And his most memorable character on stage is ‘Kokila’. A two-and-a-half-hour solo act. He himself was afraid. But Abdullah Al Mamun said to him, ‘If you can’t, then who can?’
His memory of the role of ‘Hurmati’ in Samshaptak is also thrilling. Co-artist Liaquat Ali Lucky was afraid to pull her hair. But Ferdausi Majumder said, ‘I get pain and what I get, you do. Let me do the acting.’ This dedication to acting is what sets him apart.
Another important chapter in his life is love and marriage. Ramendu Majumdar was his classmate. One read in English, another in Bengali. Their closeness increases during the rehearsal of the bloody wilderness play. But there were strong obstacles in the marriage. Everyone in the family understood that this marriage would not be easy.
Ferdausi Majumder fell ill. Stop eating. Then the strict father understood the pain of his daughter. Finally he wrote to Ramendu and called him. They got married in March 1970. Kabir Chowdhury’s house. After the wedding, he returned home at night and saw that the father was unable to speak, only crying. He blessed both heads together.
They went to India in 1971. Swadhin Bangla Betar Center also did some work. After the liberation war, he came back to know that Munir Chowdhury was captured by Pakistani forces. This grief made him ill. Later, even though the country became independent, the brother never returned.
Troupe Theater was established soon after independence. Ferdousi Majumdar was one of the founding members. Then a long walk. He has also taught for many years. Leading schools, Wills Little Flower, Sunbeams, Mastermind, and even Central Women’s University.
Did not work much in films. Surya turned down film offers like Dighal Baari and Sareng Bau to give time to younger daughter Tripa. I still have that regret. Even Satyajit Roy asked him about his interest in acting. Didn’t understand the importance then.
Ferdausi Mazumder, standing at 83 years old today, looks at life with deep gratitude. In his words, ‘My life is wonderful. I got a lot.’
At the end, the words he said to the youth are the essence of life: do not lose patience, be honest, believe in beauty, respect the elders. Especially the disrespect of teachers pained him.
Ferdousi Majumder’s life story reminds us that inner light, devotion to art and depth of relationship are ultimately the greatest truth.
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