Subachan Natya Sangsad celebrates 30th anniversary
The honoured theatre personalities at the programme (top). A scene from “Rupoboti.”
At a corner of the National Theatre Stage, members of Subachan Natya Sangsad were humming a classical based tune, while actor-musician Ahsan Habib Nasim started reciting a message on behalf of the troupe on their 30th anniversary. A collective sound of conches followed. At another corner, Subachan members lighted thirty candles. Subachan Natya Sangsad started their 30th anniversary celebration on October 30 at the National Theatre Stage, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). A three-day theatre festival, on the occasion, features popular productions of Subachan.
Subachan started its journey in 1977 with a group of young theatre enthusiasts. During the last three decades, none of them remained in the troupe but Subachan has become a platform for young theatre activists. Subachan has produced over 30 theatre productions, providing opportunities for more than 500 theatre artistes to work with the troupe at different times. With the slogan "Krishnopakkher Meghey Meghey Krishnochura Brishti," the theatre festival features plays -- "Rupoboti," "Khudhito Pashan" and "Khandani Kissa."
Noted theatre personality and president of ITI, Ramendu Majumdar, inaugurated the event. Subachan Natya Sangsad conferred "uttoriyo" to 30 eminent theatre personalities of the country who have made significant contributions to the medium. Ramendu Majumdar, Mamunur Rashid, Nasiruddin Yousuff, Ataur Rahman, M hamid, Niranjan Adhikari, Golam Kuddus, Jhuna Choudhury, Shimul Yousuf, Lucky Inam, Rokeya Rafique Baby, Mannan Hira, Nader Chowdhury, Mujibur Rahman Dilu, Mahmud Sajjad and others were among the ones honoured. Ahmed Gias, convenor of Subachan Natya Sangsad delivered the welcome speech. Mamunur Rashid, Nasiruddin Yousuff, M hamid, Golam Kuddus, and Nader Chowdhury spoke at the event. The inauguration programme ended with a dance performance with the song "O Alor Potho Jatri."
On the first day of the theatre festival, Subachan's 29th production, "Rupoboti" was staged. Written by Nasreen Jahan, the play is directed by Khaled Khan. "Rupoboti" is a symbolic play, depicting the plight of a flutist, who sets out to find the killer of his beautiful and loving wife Rupoboti. Abject poverty in the form of hunger was the only obstacle between the lovers. The flutist could only hope for some miracle to satisfy the hunger, as art does not earn enough money. This naiveté of the young artiste paved the way for a wicked magician to overpower Rupoboti. When Rupabati is killed brutally, the flutist leaves the village to avenge her. After many years, he returns. The question still remains -- who killed Rupoboti? The question seems to address the entire society, which, in a way, sustains the conflict between art and a life filled with opportunities.
The cast included Sonia Hasan Subarna (as Rupabati), Mehedi Hasan Shohag (Flutist) and Asadul Islam Asad (Magician). Based on a short story by Tagore, the play "Khudhito Pashan" was staged yesterday. The festival will end today with "Khandani Kissa.”
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