Lal Jomin staged on the National Mourning Day

Momena Chowdhury in a scene from the play. Photo: Mumit M.

Theatre troupe Shunnon staged its production “Lal Jomin” at the Studio Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 15 to observe the National Mourning Day. The play, directed by Sudip Chakraborthy and written by Mannan Heera, symbolically highlights Bangabandhu inspiring the nation prior to the Liberation War.
The play is a monodrama; guest actor Momena Chowdhury [of Aranyak Natyadal] performed the roles.
The play depicts a female freedom fighter's involvement with the war and her woes after 40 years. It unfolds in a rural setting, zooming in on an adolescent and her carefree days. As the war breaks out, her father joins the freedom fighters. The young girl wants to do the same but her mother objects.
Then one day, she meets a young man, whom she calls “an illusionist”. The illusionist's spirit compels her to overcome all hurdles and join the pro-liberation forces. But the girl, along with other freedom fighters, is captured by the Pakistani occupation forces. They encage her till the war is over.
After 40 years of independence, she asks the nation whether the spirit of the war has been upheld.
Ramiz Raju and Julfikar Chanchal directed music for the play. An added attraction was flute recital by Bari Siddiqui.