Dhaka Theatre is going to stage a special show of its acclaimed monodrama Binodini at the upcoming North American Bengali Conference in Houston, Texas, USA. The three-day conference, an annual event held in the North American states, will kick off on July 10 and feature social gatherings, class reunions, film screenings, literary readings and performances dealing with Bengali culture. Dhaka Theatre will stage its production on July 11 at the drama festival of the conference. The following day, Nasiruddin Yousuff’s award-winning film Guerrilla will be screened at the film festival of the conference.
The one-act play, also directed by Nasiruddin Yousuff, features the story of Binodini Dasi, the legendary actress of 19th century Bengal who made a remarkable contribution to shaping up a theatre culture influenced by Western traditions.
Simon Zakaria has written the play in the light of facts received from different sources, under the guidance of late playwright Selim Al Deen, director Nasiruddin and actress Shimul Yousuff, who plays Binodini.
While writing the drama, Simon used two autobiographies by Binodini Dasi — Aamar Kotha and Aamar Abhinoy Jibon – several poems written by Binodini, and a few reference books on her life and work. The play highlights Binodini’s rise from a low social background.
Kamaluddin Kabir is the set designer of the play while Ishrat Nishat is its light designer.
-With New Age input
