“Eksho Bosta Chaal” features a chaotic scenario of the post 'Boshin War' (1868-69) Japan, where the legendary Japanese warriors, popularly known as 'Samurai,' had to constantly struggle for a dignified existence.

“Eksho Bosta Chaal,” a Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy production, has won the Uchimura Prize for this year, conferred by International Theatre Institute, Japan, says a press release.

Directed by Golam Sarwar, the production is a Bengali translation of a Yuzo Yamamoto play. The translation was done by noted translator and theatre personality Abdus Selim. The Uchimura Prize is given to an individual or institute that works on Japanese plays outside Japan.

The play is an output of a 10-day workshop on the 'Samurai' style, conducted by Japanese instructor Kimura Shinji. It is a joint production by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Embassy of Japan, the Japan Foundation and Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The play is set against the backdrop of the transitional period from 'Shogunate era' to 'Meiji' resurrection. “Eksho Bosta Chaal” features a chaotic scenario of the post 'Boshin War' (1868-69) Japan, where the legendary Japanese warriors, popularly known as 'Samurai,' had to constantly struggle for a dignified existence. Like many other Japanese domains, the people of Nagaoka became corrupt.

The play ends on an optimistic note, with the message that people can keep alive a dream even under the harshest of circumstances.