A TALE OF DECEPTION AND DISILLUSIONMENT

Theatre premiered their latest production “Kuhokjal” to a houseful audience recently at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. This was the 45th play of the troupe.

Written by Masum Reza and directed by Tropa Majumdar, the play unmasks the innate inhumanity of humans through a story involving betrayal, murder and deception. As the plot develops, Ghuron Sardar -- the central character of the play — starts witnessing the beastly facets of human nature unfold before his eyes, which in the end leads to his disillusionment and ultimate tragedy.

Ghuron and Chandura are in an affair. But Chandura's father fixes her marriage with Amod Majon, a hypocrite politician living in nearby village.

Chandura, despite her reluctance, agrees to marry polygamist Amod Majon only to satiate her father's greed for land. A heartbroken Ghuron heads out aimlessly leaving his mother alone. He comes to an unknown village and manages a job at a local businessman's warehouse where he meets Kamakkhi, a hindu youth working there. Kamakkhi has an affair with his master's daughter, which ultimately leads to his death. Ghuron first encounters the horrible side of the human nature.

Shocked at his friend's death in front of his eyes, Ghuron comes back to his village to find Chandura sent back to her father's house by her husband. Ghuron proposes to Chandura to marry her despite the fact that she was pregnant. But Amod Majon again, takes Chandura back in order to win the election.

Ghuron, refused by his beloved, again sets adrift. He goes to the hills and meets vibrant dance teacher and rights activist Somani, who leads a deprived indigenous community. Soon after Ghuron starts living with the indigenous people, another crisis arises. The influential church tries to grab their lands in the name of building a church. Somani protests the issues but she disappears suddenly. Even in the hills, Ghuron comes across conspiracy and deception.

Ghuron again returns home and finds that his childhood friend Aghor is dead. Aghor was killed by Amod Majon as he tried to stop Amod from taking Chandura again, but Chandura was sent back after her husband has won the election. This time Chandura agrees to Ghuron's proposal. But when she gives birth to a baby boy, Amod takes her back. All these events lead to the disillusionment of Ghuron. Unable to tolerate the injustice, Ghuron loses sanity and blinds himself.

Although rather lengthy (spanning two hours), the play never feels stretched, but rather packs humorous scenes and dialogues throughout. The play excellently uses dark humour to satirise the vices of human beings.

“Kuhokjal” casts Ramendu Majumdar and Ferdausi Majumdar, along with Tanveer Ahmed, Tofa Hossain, Kalyan Chowdhury, Tanjum Ara Poilli, Kawsar Rajib and many others.

Masum Reza, who is equally adept in writing scripts for both theatre and television -- has incorporated humour very well, making the play entertaining. Tropa Majumdar, on the other hand, gives the script a solid visual interpretation. Imran Hossen Piplu has designed the stage; background scores and choreography were done respectively by Theatre Ganwala and Tahnina Islam.