Theatre festival to pay homage to Kalim Sharafi

A scene from “Dipdanda”. Photo: Jamil Mahmud

Nagarik Natyangan Ensemble has arranged a weeklong theatre festival at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to commemorate the troupe's late president and pioneering Tagore singer Kalim Sharafi. The festival began at the National Theatre Hall of the academy on December 27. On the inaugural day, the organising troupe staged its new play “Jugal Bandi”.
Sharafi, renowned for promoting and upholding Tagore songs across the country, had a keen interest in theatre as well. He was the president of Nagarik Natyangan Ensemble from 1997 till his death in 2010.
Liaquat Ali Lucky, DG, Bangladesh Shilpalkala Academy, Jamaluddin Hossain of Nagarik Natyangan Ensemble and artist Hasem Khan, among others, spoke at the inaugural ceremony of the festival.
Jamaluddin Hossain said that Sharafi was an inspiration for his troupe and a fond admirer of theatre practices of the country. Later, a group of singers sang Rabindra Sangeet in memory of Sharafi.
The festival features plays produced by local troupes Nagarik Natyangan Ensemble, Nagarik Natyasampraday and Theatre (Bailey Road) as well as two plays by Bahurupi from Kolkata, India. Bahurupi staged “Dipdanda” and “Chha(n)ch Bhanga Murti” on December 28 and 29.
The organising troupe's new play “Jugal Bandi” is an adaptation of a Manoj Mitra literary work. The play, directed by Jamaluddin Hossain, a political satire, depicted allegorically the story of a Sultan and his newly born conjoined twin sons.
Raizul Islam, Sayeed Rahman, Abdullah Al Mamun, Asad Quader, Shaon Sagir and Chanchal Shaikat played different roles in the play.
Bahurupi's “Dipdanda” is written by Teerthankar Chandra and directed by Kumar Roy. The play is a narrative of the region's socio-political developments from ancient times.
Amio Haldar, Debesh Roy Chowdhury, Probal Mukhopadhyay, Jhinuk Sarkar and Gauri Shankar Mukhopadhyay played different roles.
Today, Theatre (Bailey Road) will stage “Meraj Fakirer Ma”.
The organising troupe will stage “Bibishab” on the last day. The troupe will also celebrate its anniversary with a brief cultural programme prior to the staging of the play.