The historical fiction narrates the upsurge of an indigenous community from the ‘Barendrabhumi.’ Photo: Neloy Hossain

As part of ongoing Selim Al Deen birth anniversary celebration, Bogra Theatre staged "Kaibarta Bidraho" at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 19. Written by Taufique Hasan Moyna, the play was directed by Saidur Rahman Lipon.
Bogra Theatre is one of the active members of Bangladesh Gram Theatre, which Al Deen founded to encourage traditional theatre activities across the country. Bogra Theatre has been working since 1980 to uphold the indigenous theatre form.
As a playwright, Taufique Hasan follows Al Deen's philosophy in "Kaibarta Bidraho." The historical fiction narrates the upsurge of an indigenous community from the 'Barendrabhumi' (now the northern part of Bangladesh).
The community, known as 'Kaibarta,' finds itself oppressed during the rule of Mahipal. To ensure their rights, Kaibartas take a stand against the royal forces and stage an upsurge led by an individual named Dibyak.
They gain their freedom but fail to uphold the spirit of liberation. Emerging as a civilised community, the Kaibarta bury the values they once fought for in bigotry and misinterpretation of religious doctrines. The play ends with the tragic death of King Dibyak.
The play wonderfully incorporates different socio-cultural elements of the Kaibarta population like religious festivals, rituals and customs through singing and dancing. Most importantly, the play successfully draws parallels to post-Liberation War Bangladesh.
Rubol Lodi played the protagonist Dibyak. Among others, Shohani, Wasim Alam, Palash Sarkar, Mahamudul Hasan, G.M. Jihan and Tushar Hasan performed central roles.
Today, the last day of the festival, Dhaka Theatre will stage its latest production "Dhaboman" at the National Theatre Hall and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will stage "Putra" at the Studio Theatre Hall.