Bibisab: A woman going beyond gender roles

Actors of Palakar in a scene from “Bibisab.” Photo: Mumit M

Abdullah Al Mamun plays invariably have powerful social messages and "Bibisab" -- set in the Old Dhaka scenario -- is no different. As part of the ongoing festival to celebrate Mamun's birth anniversary (organised jointly by Theatre and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy), theatre troupe Palakar staged the play at the National Theatre Hall, BSA on July 13.
Young directors Aminur Rahman Mukul and Shahriar Khan Rintu took the challenge to bring to the stage a remarkable character created by Mamun: a loud, foul-mouthed, yet compassionate 'Bibisab.' Bibisab aka Mariam Bibi is a woman who runs a rickshaw garage somewhere in Old Dhaka.
Bibisab lost her husband and children during the Liberation War. Come hell or high water, she never gives up. The garage is her only source of income. Her dirt-poor neighbours, most of who have come from villages, rent rickshaws from Bibisab's garage on per-day basis. Billal looks after the garage and assists Bibisab.
Bibisab's acid tongue and larger than life valour are part of her defence mechanism. She has to be bold and loud to compete with men in her male-dominated society. She may appear to be a shrew but she is not dishonest. Her benevolence towards her poor neighbours, helping them whenever she can, demonstrates her well-placed sensitivity, just the opposite of Bashiruddin Mollah.
Mollah, an influential resident of the area, is a crafty, self-seeking individual. His palatial house is behind Bibisab's garage. Mollah calls the garage "an eyesore" and continually hatches plans to wipe out the garage from the area. But a born-survivor Bibisab never budges. She and her garage stay put.
This conflict, however, goes way back. The audience gradually discovers that during the Liberation War, Mollah was a collaborator of the Pakistani army and was instrumental behind the killings of Bibisab's husband and children.
The much-discussed issue of the trial of war criminals is the highlight of the play. Jelly, Shahriar, Liku and Nuri played the central roles. Aniket Paul designed the set that resembled a real rickshaw garage. Ajay Das did the music, most of which featured a lone 'dotara' recital in a mellow mood.
This evening, Department of Theatre and Music, Dhaka University will stage "Tritio Purush" followed by Theatre's "Mike Master.”