The host troupe Nattyateertha staged the 50th show of its acclaimed production Dweep on the third day of the ongoing festival titled Ponchadosher Ponchadin on Saturday at the National Theatre Hall of
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Renowned Indian thespian Utpal Dutt’s play depicts a man who had deviated from his path and is constantly battling with an inner conflict.
As the curtain goes up Tapan Hafiz, in the role of Milon Sarkar [a Marxist and revolutionary], comes on stage with his beloved Supriya, enacted by Sadia Islam Shanta.
Milon, after India’s independence, has joined a newspaper as a reporter, and at the behest of his employer, he writes false reports that may cause communal conflict. The most interesting part of the play revolves around a dream-scene, where three of Milon’s comrades, who have sacrificed their lives fighting for their political ideology, taught by Milon, accuse
him.
During the encounter, a surreal effect was produced by shedding a dim light on the backdrop which is a massive spider’s net and a clock simultaneously. The rest of the stage had been immersed in darkness.
The credit goes to Fayez Zahir and Thandu Raihan respectively for their set and light. In this dream-scene Milon is put to a trial by his dead comrades, remarkably portrayed on stage by Shamsur Rahman Peru, Mahmudur Rahman and Maruf Tomal.
The fictitious court declares Milon to be guilty. Milon awakens not only from his troubled sleeping state but also from the road of darkness he had temporarily treaded on.
The play ends with a message that no man is an island apart.
‘Although the play involves Marxist characters, it is still relevant to our contemporary times.
I tried to highlight the fact that whenever individuals deviate from the right path, they pay a price through internal sufferings; one can deceive others but not himself, ‘said Tapan Hafiz, the director of the
play.
‘This play was written and premiered almost half a century ago. Still, the troupe has performed so well that they had managed to convey the message across to the audience’, observed thespian Nasiruddin Yousuff, who was present as the chief guest of the day.
‘I have particularly enjoyed the acting of the three dead comrades. Their performances were spectacular,’ said Rafiq Ahmed from the audience.
Before the play began, members of the music troupe Baul Bazar entertained the audience at the lobby of National Theatre Hall by presenting some traditional numbers.
-With New Age input
