Joya Ahsan and Mahfuz in “Bibha”.

Adapting literature for the TV or the silver screen is a common practice around the world. Bangladesh also follows the trend, especially during birth and death anniversaries of Tagore and Nazrul.
“Shubha”, one of Tagore's most widely read stories, was first adapted for television in 1976. Abdullah Al Mamun directed the play for BTV, where Shubha was played by Subarna Mustafa.
Reminiscing on the experience, Mustafa said that Abdullah Al Mamun approached her when she was a student of class 9, and asked her to play Shubha. “Although the story was part of my school curriculum, portraying the role turned out to be very tough,” said Mustafa, adding that her performance brought her much acclaim at that time.
Much later, Bulbul Ahmed made another version of “Shubha”, where his daughter Oindrila played the title role. She remembered that the crew broke into tears during the shooting of a scene. It is a memory that will stay etched in her mind, the actress added.
When BTV was launching its operations, a drama was made based on Tagore's “Raktokorobi”. Dilshad Khanom played the role of Nondini in the BTV production, which was portrayed by Aupee Karim later for the stage.
The character Binodini from “Chokher Bali” has always been a sought after role by actresses. In the Kolkata movie version of the story, Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai played the role. The character was also pursued by many actors when Shahidul Islam Mintu took the initiative to make a tele-film on “Chokher Bali”; in the end, the role went to Tarin. The actress says she had portrayed several characters created by Rabindranath, but to play Binodini needed a lot of groundwork.
Eminent director Mustafa Monwar created a stir when he made a drama based on “Strir Potro”. As the drama was aired on a satellite channel, many expatriates also got the chance to see it. Golam Farida Chhonda played Mrinal in “Strir Potro”, and the actress said she was very nervous to work under Mustafa Monwar. Another fear for the actress was based on the scale of the challenge. However, everything went as planned and “Strir Potro” received much praise, Chhonda added.
Abu Sayeed was the first to make a drama based on Rabindranath's story “Jibito O Mrito”, which was titled “Kadombini”. Bipasha Hayat, who played the title role, said she gave her instant consent for playing the role when the offer came from the director. She tried her best to portray the role, Hayat added.
Another version of “Jibito O Mrito” was made later by Shamim Shahed, under the title “Kadombini Moriya Proman Korilo Shey Morey Nai”. Prova played the character Kadombini.
Sadek Siddiqui made a TV play based on the Rabindranath story “Apod”. Nowshin played the role of Hironmoyi in the drama, while the actress also performed in another drama on Rabindranath's poem “Hothat Dekha”.
Nahid Ahmed Piyal is credited for making a serial based on Rabindranath Tagore's novel “Noukadubi”, where Kusum Shikdar and Jitu Ahsan played key roles.
Several TV versions of “Hoimonti” have also been made. Tonima Hamid and Oindrila both acted as Hoimonti in separate versions, while Prova plays the title role in the latest edition.
Movie star Rozina made a drama based on the story “Bodnaam”, where she played the role of Soudamini. Two separate versions of “Noshtonir” have also been made.
Sumon Anwar made a TV play based on “Robibar”, where Joya Ahsan played the role of Bibha and Mahfuz Ahmed played Abhik.
Other Rabindranath works that have been adapted for TV include “Daan Protidan”, “Malyodaan”, “Ek Ratri”, “Drishti Daan”, “Gupto Dhon”, “Chhuti”, “Kabuliwala”, “Post Master”, “Detective” and “Dui Bon”.