Generating awareness through street plays

Actors of Shubochon Natya Sangshad in NormedPhoto: STAR

On the second day (February 2) of the ongoing Jatiyo Pothonaty-otshob '08 (National Street Theatre Festival) by Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, being held at the Central Shaheed Minar premises, five plays were staged.
The day's event started at 4:00 pm with Prabir Sardar, member secretary of the festival, reading the declaration of this year's Pothonatyotshob.
Theatre troupe Barisal Natok staged the first play of the day. Titled Kajol Kalo Raat, the play addresses the issue of mistreatment that a girl often faces in our society, especially in the rural areas, for being dark complexioned. The story follows the life of a girl named Kajol (played by Ummey Tahmina). Throughout her life, Kajol has been facing discrimination. Even her parents differentiate between her and her siblings. Her misfortune does not leave her after her marriage. She is abused by her husband for dowry. The play ends with Kajol committing suicide. The performance received a good response from the audience. The play was directed by Bakar Bokul and written by Ratan Das Bapi.
The play was followed by a recitation. Nazimuddin, a member of Uttaran Bangladesh, recited Chandalika, a poem by Sabyosachi Dev.
Theatre troupe Shubochon Natya Sangshad staged their production Normed on the same day. Written by Asadul Islam and directed by Chandan Pal, the play brings to light the rampant unhealthy practices in the fast-food industry.
Other plays staged on the day included Mukti Protyasha by Boishakhi Natyagosthi (Faridpur), Ekattur-er Telesmati by Theatre Workshop (Chittagong) and Gupto Bidya by Shomoy (Dhaka).
BGTF (Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation) has been arranging the festival on the first day of February, since 1985. Every year theatre troupes from all over Bangladesh participate at the festival. Most of the plays feature socio-political issues.
Jatiyo Pothonatyotshob '08 is dedicated to the memory of the late dramatist Selim Al Deen. Each day five plays are being staged at the festival.
The slogan of this year's festival is Jago, Bahe, Konthe Shobai -- a line from the play Nuruldiner Shara Jibon by Syed Samsul Haq. The festival began on February 1 and will end on February 7.
Today five plays -- Khobish by Gononatya Parishad (Ashuganj); Kukpokhyi by Bidrohi Natya Goshti (Mymensingh); Bikkhipto Bhabna by Udichi (Dhaka); Bou by Rangpur Natya Kendra and Ondho by Bhashkar Natya Dal (Dhaka) -- will be staged at the festival.