‘Lathikhela has become a game, in course of time’

Chan Mia, head of the ‘Chan Mia Lathikhela Dal’, performed recently at a programme on the occasion of the 127th anniversary of birth of Gurusaday Dutta at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. He talks to our correspondent about the different aspects of the troupe.
New Age: For how many years has your troupe been performing?
Chan Mia: It has been about 36 years that our troupe has been performing lathikhela. Darbesh Ali was the founder of the troupe and he has taught most of our team members about the game.
NA: Since how long has lathikhela been practised in Manikgonj? What is the origin of this game?
CM: As far I know the lathikhela has been going on for more than 80 years and it is still popular in our Manikgonj district.
We know that the zamindars of our country used to form lathial bahini (a band of lathials), for their security. But in course of time, the lathikhela has become a game.
NA: What time of the year are you mostly asked to perform this game?
CM: We are mostly asked during the four months of the Bangla calendar such as Poush, Magh, Phalgun and Chaitra. We receive calls to perform during that time, when we perform twice or thrice a week.
We attend various functions like wedding ceremony, annual school programmes and so on.
NA: How many members are there in your troupe?
CM: There are 14 members in the troupe. The oldest is Manik Sadhu, aged 72 and the youngest is Fazal Mia, aged 35.
NA: Are the children of the performers also included in your troupe?
CM: No, the children are not interested to come and perform here.
We also hope that our children
will do well in other professions in future.
NA: Do you perform only with the stick?
CM: We perform many kinds
of games with sticks. Apart from
this, we also present magic, games being disguised with the masks of animal. Our troupe members also present dances in disguise of women dance.
Actually we perform many types of lathikhela, but it becomes diffi-
cult to keep the attention of the
audience drawn for a long time on the game. That is why we perform some other games along with lathikhela.
NA: What other professions is your troupe members involved in apart from lathikhela?
CM: Well, most of us are farmers. A few of us are involved in small
business.

Courtesy of NewAgebd