A palagaan has a prologue praising Sri Chaitanya. Its narration in prose is brief and the rest consists of metaphysical discourses, shloka and songs.

The lead singer of a palagaan is a boyati, who is supported by a group of dohar (chorus). The story is presented in the form of dialogues. The boyati alone enacts several roles, at times assisted by the dohars who also enact some roles.

Through the ages, palagaan has undergone changes regarding its form and theme. Social and even personal events have replaced legends and stories from the puranas.

Renowned palakar Abdul Kuddus Boyati's pala -- Kamola Ranir Shagordighee, presented on the Eid day on ntv, is an example of the modified palagaan genre.

Instead of using traditional prologue in praise of Sri Chaitanya, Abdul Kuddus' pala started with the devotional song praising Allah and the Prophet (PBUH). Moreover, a blend of religious doctrines of Islam and Hinduism is evident in his presentation of the pala using typical dialect of the greater Mymensingh region.

Abdul Kuddus Boyati with his stentorian voice modulation presented the folklore Kamola Ranir Shagordighee, which glorifies the virtues of a noble woman named Kamola Rani.

Abdul Kuddus played 18 different characters including the narrator, devil and several male and female roles -- in the pala. His one-hour long dramatic presentation on the small screen was certainly a change among the typical Eid-special programmes. The main attraction of his presentation was the smooth transition of the characters using some props like pillow, long scarf and others.

Kamola Ranir Shagordighee is one of the 81 palas, which Abdul Kuddus Boyatai presents at rural areas. ntv deserves plaudits for airing a show that demonstrates our rich rural culture.