GUWAHATI, Nov 30 - Noted playwright Giasuddin Ahmed, who was also a leading organiser of the amateur theatre movement of the State, died at a city hospital today following liver-related complications at the age of 56. He was suffering from non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
Also known for his stage direction, short stories and novels, Ahmed was the founder general secretary of the Natasurya Phani Sarma Sowarani Samiti, Assam (Natasurya Memorial Celebration Committee). He wrote his first full-length play Dayi Kon at the age of 11. He wrote 15 plays, which have been highly acclaimed by critics. He also edited the now out-of-circulation bimonthly literary magazine Prajanma.
Ahmed was the main pillar of the Natasurya Phani Sarma Sowarani Samiti, which has been organising a week-long drama festival in the memory of the Natasurya every year for the past 23 years since 1995.
He was also a trade unionist and led the NE Regional Central Bank Employees� Union as its president since its inception in 1989. He leaves behind his wife, a daughter and a host of relatives. His last rites will be performed in his native village Barigaon in Nalbari district tomorrow.
Ahmed�s death was mourned by Natasurya Phani Sarma Sowarani Samiti president Pranjal Saikia and working president Pulak Banerjee, noted playwright and academician Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury, NE Regional Central Bank Employees� Union, and city-based voluntary organisation Anwesha among others.
Officers and employees of the Cultural Affairs Directorate paid floral tributes over his body at the Rabindra Bhawan, the headquarters of the Directorate. Bardoichila Theatre also paid homage to Ahmed by maintaining one minute�s silence prior to the beginning of their show here today, said the Natasurya Phani Sarma Sowarani Samiti this evening.
