Students of theatre and performance studies department of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University presented an impressive performance of Bishad Sindhu on Saturday at Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Adapted from Mir Mosharraf Hossain’ novel and directed by Syed Mamun Reza, head and assistant professor of theatre and performance studies department, the play was presented in the traditional ‘panchali style’, where most of the incidents are narrated and linked by narrators.
Among the original 63 stream of incidents from the original novel, only three were selected by the director for the production. Selected three incidents are taken from the Moharram episode and the Uddhar episode.
These three portions, in a nutshell, contain the tone and tenor of the tragedy of Imam Hussain in Karabala. The play begins with the steadfast determination of Kashem, Imam Hasan’s son, to fight against the enemies, in which he eventually is killed at the hands of Yajid’s forces.
The second scene, which is also from the Muharram episode, begins with Imam Hasan taking arms and fighting. Though Imam Husaain reaches the river Phorat (Euphrates) but could not drink its water, as the sight of his kinsmen’s death for the lack of water saddens him. He also eventually falls as the enemies behead him.
Third and last scene of the play is from the Uddhar episode, where Simar, who beheaded Imam Hussain, takes shelter in Azor’s house. Knowing that Simar is carrying Imam Hussain’s head in a bag, Azor’s wife takes it from Simar to keep it safe and returns her son’s head instead in the morning so that she can give a proper burial to Imam Hussain, who she followed fervently.
The tragedy was presented in a befitting manner by the students. Light, set and music were appropriate.
‘Even today we, unfortunately, cannot think of Karbala as a distant happening. The world is still ablaze with such tragedies, such cruelties. What’s happening today with the Palestinians is nothing less than what happened to Imam Hussain. Since the wars are going on, our protests are too’, said Syed Mamun Reza, director of the play.
Atilur Rahman Sujon, Uttam Chandra Shil, Wahida Sultana, Bipasha Saha and others acted in the play.
-With New Age input
