Sara Zaker
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Sara Zaker | |
|---|---|
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| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Education | MA (English) |
| Alma mater | University of Dhaka |
| Occupation(s) | actor, entrepreneur |
| Spouse | Aly Zaker (married 1975-2020) |
| Children |
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| Awards | full list |
Sara Zaker is a Bangladeshi theatre and television actor, director, business entrepreneur and social activist.[1][2] She was awarded Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh in 2017.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]
Zaker was born to Major Salauddin Mohammad Amin and Alia Amin, a former school teacher. She was nicknamed Chixie.[4] Zaker completed her bachelor's and master's from the University of Dhaka in English literature. She was also trained at the British Theater Institute in 1981.
Career
[edit]Actress
[edit]Zaker joined Nagorik Natya Sampraday, a theater troupe, just after finishing secondary school in 1972.[5] Her first production with the troupe, "Baki Itihash" premiered in February 1973. She went on to perform in Bidogdho Romonikul, Nishiddho Polli, Shot Manusher Khoje (1976), Dewan Gazi'r Kissa and "Naam-Gotroheen: Manto'r Meyera" (2014).[5]
Zaker directed Ariel Dorfman's Death and the Maiden and Anton Chekhov's The Sea Gull.
Zaker writes a column – Shubondhu Shomipeshu for newspaper Prothom Alo. She is anchoring Ami Ekhon Ki Korbo, a talk show airing on Banglavision channel. She conducts a radio show on Radio Shadhin 92.4fm named Tumi Bolo Amra Shunchhi.
Entrepreneur
[edit]Zaker's business career began in 1995 in the field of market research. She is working as the project head of Nayantara Communications since its inception in 2004.[6] Nayantara is the co-producer of Sesame Workshop New York in producing Sisimpur, the Bengali edition of the Sesame Street. She is the managing director of Asiatic 360,[7] director of Asiatic Events Marketing Limited, and the managing director of Ddhoni Chitra Ltd.[8]
Activist
[edit]Zaker has led many campaigns and projects related to both male and female rights, women health, family planning and environmental issues. Some notable projects she led are –
- Accelerating progress towards Maternal and Neonatal mortality and Morbidity reduction UNICEF – 2009.
- Advocacy Activity for FP & RH through print and electronic Media UNFPA – 2009
- "Jibon-O-Jibika" Save the Children – USA.
- Male & Female Reproductive Health Campaign (Marie Stopes Clinic Society).
- "Safe Water Campaign" (IDA).
- Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) Communication Campaign UNICEF- Bangladesh.
- Arsenic Mitigation Campaign UNICEF- Bangladesh.
- Emergency Preparedness Awareness World Health Organization – WHO
- Prevention and Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking in Bangladesh International Organization for Migration – IOM.
- Awareness on Human Trafficking International Organization for Migration – IOM.
- Safe Migration International Organization for Migration – IOM.
- Comprehensive information campaign to enhance public awareness on safe migration in Bangladesh International Organization for Migration – IOM.
- Women Migration Campaign International Organization for Migration – IOM.
- Founder member of the Board of Trustees of Liberation War Museum of Bangladesh.[9][10]
- Secretary of Nagorik Natya Sampradaya (Workshop & Training Organization & Cultural Affairs).
- Secretariat-In-Charge Dramatic Theater Committee, I.T.I (International Theater Institute).
- Presidium member Dramatic Theater Committee, I.T.I (International Theater Institute).
- Special Honorable Member of Bangladesh Group Theater Federation.
- Former Chairperson of Secretariat Body, Bangladesh Group Theater Federation.
Personal life
[edit]Zaker was married to Aly Zaker until 2020, his death.[11] Aly was an actor, a writer and a business entrepreneur.[12] Zaker has two children, Iresh Zaker and Sriya Sharbojaya.[13] Sriya is associate executive director of Asiatic EXP and Iresh is executive director of Asiatic MCL and an actor.[14] She has a personal blog which is sarazaker.me
Works
[edit]- Stage plays
- Baaki Itihash (1973)
- Bidogdha Ramonikul (1973)
- Ei Nishiddo Pollite (1973)
- Cross Purpose (1973)
- Bohi Peer (1974)
- Dewan Gaazir Kissa (1977)
- Shot Manusher Khoje (1976)
- Shahjahan (1978)
- Copeniker Captain (1980)
- Nuruldiner Shara Jibon (1981)
- Macbeth
- Kobor Diye Dao
- Irsha
- Kathal bagan
- Naam Gotrohin – Manto'r Meyera (2014)
- Serial dramas
- Dramas
- Matir Pinjirar Majhe
- Jochnar Ful
- Ekti Prithibi, Ekti Manush
- Somota Chai
- Films
- Emiler Goenda Bahini (1980)
- Nodir Naam Modhumoti (1996)
- Itihash Konna (2000)
- Shilalipi (The Inscription) (2004)
- Ontarjatra (2006)
- Produced
- Ichche Holo (TV Series) (2009)
- Chuye Dile Mon (2015)
- Voice
Awards
[edit]- Sequence Award for Acting (1975)
- Anannya Shirsho Dosh (1995)
- Bishishtho Nattojon – Loko Natto Goshthi (2014)
- Inspiring Change
- Srijan Shamman Award
- Badruddin Hossain Memorial Award (2016)[16]
- Ekushey Padak (2017)
References
[edit]- ^ Samuel L. Leiter, Encyclopedia of Asian Theatre: A-N, page 4, Greenwood Press, 2007, ISBN 0-313-33530-3
- ^ ""I am a workaholic" – Sara Zaker". The Daily Star. 10 June 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "17 named for Ekushey Padak 2017". The Daily Star. 12 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ "JILL OF ALL TRADES". The Daily Star. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Our theatre is in need of new ideas". The Daily Star. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ "Sisimpur steps into fifth year". The Daily Star. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ Shamma M. Raghib (5 November 2006). "Promo Logic 2006". The Daily Star. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "People Behind The Company". Asiatic 360. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ Hoque, Mofidul (2012). "Liberation War Museum". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- ^ "Sara Zaker speaks about the Liberation War Museum". VOA Bangla. 24 March 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "Screen legend Aly Zaker passes away". Dhaka Tribune. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
- ^ Zaker, Aly (24 June 2011). "So, Asharh is here again!". The Daily Star. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ "Sara Zaker on "Maa'er Golpo"". The Daily Star. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ "Iresh Zaker: On the heels of actor parents". The Daily Star. 20 November 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "Words of appreciation on behalf of Asaduzzaman Noor". The Daily Star. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ "Enamul Haque, Sara Zaker receive Badruddin Award". Prothom Alo. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
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