Syed Shamsul Haque’s periodic play Narigan narrates a universal fact that is much neglected by documented history: the contribution and consequences of women during a war and their sharing of glories and downfalls with the martyrs.
Directed by Ataur Rahman, the play has been staged by Palakar on Saturday at the Experimental Theatre Hall. It was the last show of the nine-day theatre festival featuring Syed Shamsul Haque’s plays, organised by theatre troupe Prangonemor.
Depicting the consequences of capture and demise of Siraj-Ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab, the historical play features the sufferings of three women detained at the Nawab’s palace.
Narigan begins with the capture of Siraj-Ud-Daulah and his wife Lutfunessa. The theatre plunged into pitch dark after the Nawab is eventually killed. Left behind are his wife, his mother Amina and his grandmother Sarifunnessa who are also arrested. The intensity of the situation is piqued by the walkways of the theatre being surrounded by guards, giving the audience the impression that they have been imprisoned as well.
The reality of the situation is the harshest on Sarifunnessa; her lineage is lost, so is the promise of freedom. The torture inflicted upon them by the captors is also illustrated by the psychological torment she faces. The defeat rouses utter disbelief in her.
The voice of reason is Amina, who tries to keep the family together. Lutfunnessa has resigned to insanity due to her grief. The fragmentary pieces of her husband’s memory, of happier times, visit her as her only solace.
Sarifunnessa still thinks of the events as a setback rather than a final blow. She tries to encourage Amina and Lutfunnessa to rise up against the defeat and instigate a rebellion.
The gravity of the situation finally reveals itself with the killing of the three women. They are drowned by their perpetrators, bringing an end to the rebellion.
‘The aim of the play was to show how women become victimized in any war fought by men,’ director Ataur Rahman told New Age.
A fan of Syed Shamsul Haque’s play Zunayed Ahmed, a regular theatre visitor, narrated his experience, ‘This is the first time I have watched Narigan. The story is powerful and penetrating, I like it.’
Another delighted audience, Faisal Rana praised the set design and the performances of the actors.
-With New Age input
