The Playwright Qasim Muhammad and the Principle of "Drawing Inspiration from Living Heritage"

Prepared by – Al-Sabah Al-Jadeed:Artist Qasim Muhammad is considered one of the pillars of modern Iraqi theater and one of the most prominent playwrights, directors, and actors who are highly regarded. He has produced many important theatrical works, both in serious theater and children’s theater.He was born in 1936 in one of Baghdad’s neighborhoods; his father owned a bakery that made samoon (Iraqi bread). Initially, his father refused to let him join the Institute of Fine Arts, as he was not convinced of the practicality of art in life. However, Qasim Muhammad did not give up and successfully enrolled in the institute in 1955, where he studied under prominent pioneers such as Haqi Al-Shibli, Ibrahim Jalal, and Jasem Al-Aboudi.During his academic studies, Qasim Muhammad participated in acting in several plays directed by Jasem Al-Aboudi, who personally adopted and trusted his talents.In 1960, Qasim Muhammad joined the Modern Technical Theater troupe at a pivotal moment in both his life and the troupe’s history. He introduced a number of experimental and unconventional works that disrupted the structures of Iraqi theater and shook it deeply. Before that, the theater mainly presented popular and comedic plays as well as international works adapted to Iraqi theater, such as those by Shakespeare and Ibsen.Afterward, he traveled to Moscow to complete his studies in performing arts and graduated from the State Institute there in 1967.Upon returning to Iraq, he contributed to advancing Iraqi theater by founding his well-known school based on drawing inspiration from the living heritage of collective memory, focusing on theatrical experimentation, ritual evocation, and, most importantly, unleashing and preparing actors through continuous training.Qasim Muhammad received numerous awards and honors from several countries, including:Best Director Award at the Carthage Festival in 1987 for the play “The Door” by the writer Yusuf Al-Sayegh.Best Scenography Award at the Carthage Festival in 1993.Honorary award from the First Scientific Forum for Arab Theater in Cairo in 1994.Moreover, the last session of the Children’s Theater Festival in Baghdad in 2008 was named after him, honoring his pioneering role in enriching children’s theater through his distinguished works, most notably the play “The Bird of Happiness.”