Theatre
'Lilaboti': Upcoming production of Loko Natya Dal
Ershad Kamol
Many of us are acquainted with Khona: The lady from ancient times whose words of wisdom or adages for the welfare of mass, are still frequently uttered. Perhaps many of us are not aware of the tragic end of her life. Her jealous father in-law cut her tongue and made her mute. That is why Lilaboti, the princess of Shinghol (now known as Sri Lanka), later became popular in the subcontinent as Khona (split tongue). Based on the biographical sketch of Lilaboti, Loko Natya Dal is going to premiere its up-coming production Lilaboti on the first week of June at the Experimental Theatre Stage.Secretary General of Loko Natya Dal, Liaqauat Ali Lucky, who is also director-actor-set designer of Lilaboti informed, "Nasrin Mustafa has written a quality script on the historical events. We have already staged three technical shows at the Experimental Theatre Stage." Lucky further informed that through historical events, Nasrin's play features a dramatic conflict between a women and her father in-law. Lilaboti's father in-law Borah was one of the nine jewels of King Harsho Bikramaditya's court. Court palmist Borah became jealous at Lilaboti's mastery on palmistry. At the end of the play, Borah cuts her tongue. On the directorial composition Lucky informed, "As Khona is very popular amongst the masses, I've chosen intimate indigenous theatre forms to present the tragedy." Thandu Raihan is the light designer and M Jinnah is the music composer of Lilaboti.
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A dramatic scene from Lilaboti |
