Play capturing war rape victims' stories premieres today

A press conference in the capital's Liberation War Museum yesterday announcing presentation of plays from today on victims of rape during the Liberation War by Komola Collective, a London-based theatre and art company. Photo: Star

The country's victims of wartime rape are one of the sections of society who are neglected in every sphere of life, including in family. Despite the government recognising their victimisation for the cause of independence, they are now silenced, ostracised, and forgotten, because of stigma.

The agonies of these women, during and after the Liberation War, are captured in “Birangona-Women of War”, a play produced by London-based theatre and art company Komola Collective.

The play will be premiered at Gulshan Club at 7:30pm today, marking Victory Day, while a special show will be held at Central Shaheed Minar tomorrow at 6:00pm, the organisers told a press conference at the capital's Liberation War Museum yesterday.

“Birangona” was scripted based on the stories of the victims of Sirajganj. It will be staged at National Museum on December 18, at Shilpakala Academy on December 19, in Sirajganj on December 26, and in Chittagong on December 30.

Leesa Gazi, a British-Bangladeshi and co-founder of Komola Collective, said these women were fading into oblivion, so were their stories. “The urge to bring their stories to light drove to us to do the work.”

Between 200,000 and 400,000 women were raped by the Pakistani army and their local collaborators during the nine-month war, according to documents.

Also a performer of the play, Leesa, said, “Together, we intend to tell the forgotten stories of the Birangona to the world.”

Birangona's director Filiz Ozcan; Caitlin Abbot, responsible for stage, design and animation; Sohini Alam, who is on vocal; cultural personalities Nasiruddin Yousuff and Hasan Arif, and Sadaf Saaz Siddiqi, the Bangladesh tour producer of the programme, were present.

Meanwhile, Muktijuddho Academy accorded reception to 152 women freedom fighters at the capital's National Museum yesterday.

The academy has listed 254 women freedom fighters to honour them.

Muktijuddho Academy Chairman Abul Azad and poet Kazi Rozy were present.