Helena Waldmann speaks at the event. Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon

Whether it is the garments industry or dance studios, human effort -- mostly that of women, is manipulated to perform at its maximum level, with minimum monetary returns. The German-Bangladesh theatrical production “Made in Bangladesh”, directed by German Theatre Director Helena Waldmann, and produced by Ectopia Dance Productions (Germany) with collaboration from Shadhona (Bangladesh), brings this issue of exploitation to the stage, through the performance of 12 Bangladeshi dancers: Munmun Ahmed, Shammy Akter, Shareen Ferdous, Masum Hossain, Urme Irin, Lamiya Mela, Trina Mehnaz, Hanif Mohammad, Tumtumi Nuzaba, Bishwazit Sarkar, Sharmin Shoma, and Labonno Sultana. Kathak dancer Vikram Iyengar, from Kolkata (India), is the choreographer of the production.

This production is unique and important for the practice of dance in Bangladesh for several reasons.  Waldmann employs dance through a unique 'deconstruction' of the classical idiom of Kathak, cleverly showcasing its trademark footwork and pirouettes to symbolise the monotony and drudgery of work in the sewing lines of the factories.  Also, the burning issue of social injustice is highlighted through a multi-media theatrical production woven into various sequences of dance.  However, besides these technicalities, this is the first time that such a large group of Bangladeshi dancers are part of an international production which will premiere in Germany on November 26, 2014 at the Theater ImPfalzbau in Ludwigshafen. Thereafter, the production is scheduled to travel to ten other cities in Germany, Switzerland and Luxemburg.

Of course, Helena also addresses the issue of moral responsibility for this state of affairs and questions consumers, buyers and factory owners about ways in which the situation can be improved without taking away employment opportunities which have for more than a decade empowered women in Bangladesh.

The production has been supported by the German Federal Cultural Foundation and by the Goethe Institute (Bangladesh).

While addressing a press conference regarding “Made in Bangladesh” at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on October 29, Judith Mirschberger, director of the Goethe-Institut in Bangladesh announced that, after the European tour, the premiere in Dhaka is planned in a South Asian tour in January 2015. A worldwide tour is also in planning for Oct/Nov 2015.

Helena Waldmann, who stated that working in Bangladesh, with the dancers, had been a learning experience for both her and the dancers, also addressed the Press Conference.  She went on to explain that she had worked in several international projects, including one in Iran that addressed the issue of women's struggle for freedom from within the 'burkha'. She firmly believed that 'contemporary dance' did not just mean the usage of contemporary movements, but was more about contemporizing the usage of traditional dance movements.  Vikram Iyengar, the choreographer, explained how Kathak was being presented in a totally non-traditional manner, while highlighting the virtuosity of the dance.  Lubna Marium, artistic director of Shadhona, said that this production would surely pave the way for more and more contemporary issues being performed through dance by Bangladeshi dancers.

All the 12 dancers, present at the Press Conference, expressed their excitement at being part of this event and hoped that they would be able to use the experience to rethink their own dance practice.