Meraj Fakir er Ma: a review

Abdullah Al Mamun, Ramendu Majumdar, Abdul Quader and co-artistes in a scene Meraj Fakir er Ma

Even a sudden drop in the mercury level did not dampen the spirit of the Dhaka audience who gathered at the Public Library Auditorium on a cold Monday to watch the final performance of the dramaMeraj Fakir er Maby Theatre.

The performance was part of the 10-day theatre festival organised by Nagarik Natyangan. The drama featured stalwarts like Abdullah Al Mamun, Ferdousi Majumdar and Ramendu Majumdar and the full house was a good indication of the expectation level of the spectators.

The powerful drama tells the tale of the age-old artificial conflict between religion and humanity. What if, one morning you found out that your identity was in question? That your religious sentiments did not match that of your parents' ? What if you realized that your parents had kept a secret for over forty years?

The play Meraj Fakir er Ma centers on the fact that religion has always played a major role in our society and in the subcontinent. In most cases the spirit of religion has often been misinterpreted, often to the benefit of some in the society. The question which playwright Abdullah Al Mamun puts forward is, should religion precede humanity? Is religion for self interest or the humanity? In the play, these are the questions that a young man is forced to ask himself when his mother is dragged into the conflict.

The role of motherhood has always been placed and seen in highest honour in every religion. But when a powerful Fakir of the locality is questioned whether he considers his mother above religion, he is at a loss. The Fakir, Meraj, is a very powerful man in a village. He is respected by his fellowmen. He, however, is the junior peer of the locality and second to the senior peer Geda Fakir, played by Abdullah Al Mamun. When Geda Fakir finds out that the young fakir's mother had been born of Hindu parents, he immediately declares a fatwa and orders her to be pelted with stones.

Thus begins the journey for the fakir, of discovering the fine line dividing religion as understood by the masses from religion of the enlightened. How should one interpret religion? Was it being used to oppress people into obedience instead of opening their eyes to embracing it fine ideals? How does ones' lineage wipe out all of one's virtues and transform the person into a pariah overnight? The junior peer who at first reacts to the news, in the end realises his misinterpretation of the spirit of religion. The verses from the Holy Quran recited in the play clearly interpret that the role of a mother is beyond question.

Abdullah Al Mamun depicts the character of the local peer with ease and virtuosity. Ferdousi Majumdars' skillful acting has never failed to draw respect from connoisseurs and her performance here was no exception. Jaglul Alam also played the role of Meraj Fakir well to match that of his peers. The set design by Hasan Ahmed was simple yet apt. The lighting by Thandu Ryhan well coordinated with the artistes, however more symbolic colour effect could be used.

Ramendu Majumdar, the chief of Theatre, lauded the efforts of Dr. Inamul Huque and Lucky Inam of Nagarik Natyangan in arranging such a festival and its efforts in building a strong kormee bahini so essential to holding festivals participated by groups from different countries. It was widely felt in the audience that the theatre festival was a success the strong response from the audience was certainly a testament to that thought.