Aronney: Theatre on a tree
A troupe of Rajshahi Theatre artistes returned home after overwhelming a sizeable audience in Behrampore of Murshidabad district, India, staging a unique play on a tree.
Invited by Indian cultural organisation, Jugagni, the Rajshahi Theatre group joined a five-day drama festival in Behrampore recently. The objective was to merge folk and urban theatre traditions of West Bengal and Bangladesh.
A number of organisations staged plays at the festival. Indian print and electronic media highlighted the play staged by Rajshahi Theatre, titled “Aronney.”
Kabir Liton, playwright and drama instructor of Rajshahi University Teachers and Students Cultural Centre (TSCC) has written the script and also directed “Aronney” -- designed to be performed on a tree.
“In Behrampore, we found a huge banyan tree on the bank of Bhagirathi river, near Krishnanath College Ghat. On February 8, we staged the play. The audience responded with encouragement and rounds of applause,” said Kabir.
“Theatre reflects life. If the story of life can be narrated from a platform that is alive, it should have a positive and sustaining impact,” the young playwright said about his innovative idea.
"After developing the idea, we first staged the play on a mango tree at Rajshahi University in 2005," said Kamaruddin Sarker, president of Rajshahi Theater. Sarker plays the role of a political leader in “Aronney.”
The play features six human characters and three animals.
The play zooms in on characters who are disillusioned by double standards in urban life, and go to a forest in search of peace. Once in the forest, they contemplate modernising the site. It all goes downhill onwards.
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