Dr. Shahman Shahriar (Shahman Moishan)
Welcome to the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Dhaka.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to a department that has long been at the forefront of theatre education, performance scholarship, and creative inquiry in Bangladesh. As part of the University of Dhaka- the country's oldest and leading institution of higher learning, we remain committed to an academic tradition where rigorous scholarship, artistic practice, and cultural engagement continually enrich one another. For decades, our department has contributed not only to the advancement of theatre as an academic discipline but also to the broader cultural and intellectual life of Bangladesh.
Theatre and Performance Studies is an interdisciplinary field that extends well beyond the stage. While grounded in the study of theatre, it also examines the many ways in which individuals and communities create, negotiate, and transform culture through performance. From classical drama and contemporary theatre to ritual, indigenous performance traditions, digital media, and everyday social practices, the discipline invites us to reflect critically on history, identity, memory, politics, and the human condition. Theatre is not merely an art form; it is also a distinctive way of understanding the world.
Our academic philosophy is founded on the belief that theory and practice are inseparable. Alongside the study of dramatic literature, theatre history, performance theory, and critical thought, our students engage in laboratory work, creative productions, field research, and collaborative projects. This integration of scholarship and practice encourages intellectual curiosity, artistic excellence, and ethical responsibility while preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully as scholars, practitioners, educators, and cultural leaders.
A defining strength of the department lies in its commitment to a glocal (global and local) perspective- one that values the rich performance traditions of Bangladesh while engaging critically with international scholarship and contemporary artistic practices. We believe that meaningful knowledge emerges through dialogue across cultures, disciplines, and histories. This outlook enables our students and faculty to participate confidently in both national cultural life and global academic conversations.
At the heart of the department is a vibrant community of scholars, artists, researchers, students, alumni, and collaborators united by a shared commitment to learning, creativity, and mutual respect. Through research, publications, performances, festivals, conferences, and public engagement, we continue to cultivate an environment where ideas are explored with intellectual rigour and where creative practice remains closely connected to society.
As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to preserving the department's distinguished legacy while embracing new questions, emerging forms of performance, and evolving modes of artistic and scholarly inquiry. We aspire to educate individuals who are intellectually independent, culturally responsive, ethically grounded, and capable of contributing thoughtfully to both academia and the wider public sphere.
Whether you are a prospective student, researcher, artist, alumnus, or visitor, I warmly invite you to explore our department and become part of our community of embodied knowledge. I hope your engagement with us will inspire thoughtful inquiry, creative discovery, and meaningful collaboration.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies.
Dr. Shahman Shahriar (Shahman Moishan)
Associate Professor and Chairman
Department of Theatre and Performance Studies
University of Dhaka
Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Email: shahman@du.ac.bd
Professional Website: www.shahmanmoishan.com