Spirit of Liberation War on stage

A scene from the BSA production “Khetmajur Khaimuddin”. Photo: Mumit M.

Apart from the fortnight-long 'Bijoy Mela' at its premises, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) also arranged a four-day theatre festival to celebrate the 40th Victory Day. Featuring four plays based on the Liberation War, the festival ended yesterday at the National Theatre Hall.
On the last day, BSA staged its production “Khetmajur Khaimuddin”.
The festival also saw staging of the plays “Sheishob Dinguli” (by Nagarik Natyangan), “Balod” (by Theatre) and “Kotha 71” (by Dhaka Padatik).
Produced by the Theatre and Film Department of BSA, “Khetmajur Khaimuddin” has been written and directed by Golam Sarwar. The play is set against the onset of the Liberation War, and highlights the atrocities of the Pakistani army and their collaborators. Khandokar Tazminur, Mohammad Zahid Hossain Liton and Saifur Rahman played the lead roles.
Nagarik Natyangan's “Sheishob Dingulo” reveals the war through the story of an upper middle class family. Written by Dr. Enamul Huq, the play has been directed by Lucky Enam. The cast includes Mahmudul Islam Selim, Rashed Imran, Suborna Shejuti, Sajjad Reza, Habibur Rahman Bahar, Ayesha Hamid and Lucky Enam.
Theatre's (Arambagh) “Balod” is a metaphorical play, which has been directed by Gazi Rakayet. Based on Zafar Iqbal's novel with the same title, the play features the apathy of the masses in Bangladesh. “Balod” urges a movement against the rehabilitation of the Pakistani collaborators -- who implemented barbaric executions of unarmed Bengalis in 1971 -- in the society. KM Harun is the director of the play.
Kumar Pritish Bal has written Dhaka Padatik's “Kotha 71”. Debashish Ghosh has directed the play. “Kotha 71” is a story of contemporary times. It reveals a freedom fighter's individual effort to bring the war criminals to justice.
Apart from plays, a poster and photo exhibition were also part of the festival. The exhibition was held at the lobby of the National Theatre Hall. Collected by Babul Biswas, the posters and photos showcase some rare moments from post-War theatre activities in Bangladesh.