Mymensingh Geetika calls for promotion

A stage performance by Mahua Shilpigoshthi

It's back to the roots. Several groups of youth in the country have launched a concerted effort to popularise the important chapters ofMymensingh Geetika(indigenous compilation of the great bards). Among the facets of Mymensingh Geetika that they have staged areMahua Sundari, Malua Sundari, Dewana Madina, Chandrabati, Kajol Rekha, Velua Sundari, Sonai Madhab and Kamala Ranir Sagar Dighi. These literary works have been promoted by Mahua Shilpigoshthi, a cultural organisation, for the last few years.

Nowadays, such significant palas (folk plays) are being ignored at the face of the advent of many modern sources of entertainment including the satellite television, said Palakar Mrinal Dutta, an advocate and the chief artiste of Mahua Shilpigoshthi. "As a nation's culture gives it an identity, traditional culture should not be over looked. For this reason we have launched the mission to preserve our heritage. Quality performances of folk plays can draw a huge audience which has been proven over and over again. However, in many cases, due to lack of support we face financial crises and are unable to stage our shows on a regular basis," he added.

Mahua Shilpigoshthi has already performed different palas of Mymensingh Geetika on various occasions, including the staging of Mahua and Malua Sundari four times in Dhaka. Recently, the group staged Malua Sundari at Sufia Kamal auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum which was greatly praised by the select audience. To popularise such folk plays, Mahua Shilpigoshthi also stage their palas on different social occasions, including wedding ceremonies.

Mahua Shilpigoshthi has also been doing research work on different palas of Mymensingh Geetika. Palakar Mrinal plays the role of the protagonist in the plays while other young artistes Sumon, Shaheen, Shampa, Chaiti, Sohani, Tomal and Mukta play the roles of the dohar (chorus).

Afzalur Rahman Bhuiyan, professor of Bangla Department of Government Ananda Mohan College, told The Daily Star that all the palas of Mymensingh Geetika depict Bangalee society hundreds of years ago when people lived in peace and harmony. Female characters dominate the palas and depict women's freedom, which is a burning issue now, said Professor Bhuiyan adding that the palas are a perennial source of inspiration for building up an ideal society. He expressed the need for more research work for the survival of this valuable aspect of Bangla literature. Farida Yeasmin, a lecturer of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Art Institute, said that the cultural organisations should conduct more research on Mymensingh Geetika.