Dhrupodi's maiden production at Shilpakala

Aiming to demystify the life of pioneering Bangladeshi sculptor Novera Ahmed and revisit her lifelong journey towards artistic pursuit, a theatrical production "Novera" was staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on June 11.

Produced by acting and design school Dhrupodi, the monodrama is directed by Sajjad Rajib. Samiun Jahan Dola has scripted the production based on Hasnat Abdul Hye's novel on the same title, and has also donned the role of Novera, portraying her life from  early years to death in a first-person narrative.

The underlying theme that Dola carried into the drama and brought about brilliantly is how Novera made the sky her limit and how society often reacted to her aspirations. The production revolves around Novera's dream of becoming a sculptor overcoming the barriers that came her way.

Luminaries including Novera's fellow sculptor Hamidur Rahman (with whom she accomplished the design of central Shaheed Minar); eminent journalist SM Ali who organised Novera's first and second solo exhibitions in Dhaka and Bangkok respectively; Novera's French husband; Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin and few others who had definitive roles in the sculptor's life came into the storytelling of the play.

A short Bharatnatyam choreography that was incorporated into the play, depicting Novera taking lessons in the Indian classical dance form in Mumbai from Vyjayanthimala, added colour to the production.

The portrayal of patriotism of the sculptor during the War of Liberation was marvelous. Music, lighting, choreography and the set enhanced the effect of the play. The Bangla translation of American poet Anne Sexton's poem "Bat" opened the play, encapsulating the life that the drama unfolds.

Novera's emotive world was showcased intensely with several timeless songs and poems by Tagore, DL Roy, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury and Kazi Nazrul Islam.  

The production had earlier premiered at Mahila Samiti Mancha at Bailey Road, Dhaka on May 13.