Monday, October 7, 2024

Rudro Rabi O Jalliwanwala Bagh premiered

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s National Theatre Reparatory premiered its second production Rudro Rabi O Jalliwanwala Bagh on Sunday, a day before observation of Tagore’s 71st death anniversary, at the National Theatre Hall of the academy. Earlier, the troupe staged a press show at the same venue on Saturday. Noted playwright Manzur-e Moula’s innovative play, Rudro Rabi O Jalliwanwala Bagh, deals with a less discussed issue in Tagore’s life by exploring his bold stance against the brutality of the British army following the historic Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 13, 1919.
The play features Tagore’s mental agony at the massacre, in which hundreds of people were killed and thousands other were seriously wounded at the indiscriminate firing of the British Army led by Brigadier-General Reginald EH Dyer at the gathering of Pahela Baishakh celebration at the Jallianwala Bagh public garden in the northern Indian city of Amritsar in Punjab.
Rudro Rabi O Jalliwanwala Bagh also gives an imaginary feature of Tagore’s becoming revolt against the incident, which led him to renounce his knighthood title granted by the British Crown in 1915, two years after his winning of the Nobel Prize in literature as the first non-European.
The skillful playwright Moula has portrayed Tagore’s mental journey using references from Tagore classics such as Raktokarobi and Bisarjan to give a glimpse of his philosophy and urge for peace. In implicit way, the play also gives light on Tagore’s reaction to the several other historical incidents those took place during the period such as Gandhi’s call for protest against the Rowlatt act and several other protests against the British Raj across the globe.
Director of the play Ataur Rahman, who is credited with directing several Tagore classics and a Tagore’s biographical sketch based production, appears a bit different from his previous works. Depicting the mental journey of Tagore in the play, the seasoned director in his experimental production has used several multimedia projections and many other techniques.
To give a realistic flavour of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, clips from three English movies such as Gandhi, Bhagat Singh and The Legend of Bhagat Singh had been projected on the back curtain known as cyclorama at the beginning of the play.
Sometimes, the director has empahised on narration, sometimes he has focused on Stanislavskian realistic acting method and sometimes he has used his own directorial compositions of his previous works for Tagore classics.
Transformations and blending of so many techniques do not appear smooth, for which it sometimes appears as a series of fragmented stories. Ataur Rahman’s skill of depiction of the characteristics of the roles, however, deserve plaudit. His ability of creating humour to give relief to the audience in the historic play is noteworthy.
Light designer Nasirul Haque Khokon has also successfully created illusions required for the play.
Actors from different troupes of the country performed in the National Theatre Reparatory production. Fakhruzzaman Chowdhury in the role of a British general and Aminur Rahman Mukul as George Hunter performed well in the premiere show.
Shamim Sagor as the protagonist Rabindranath Tagore, however, appeared a bit puzzled and lack of confidence.
In his short presence, Ataur Rahman as the Makar Raj of Tagore’s Raktokarobi, performed with full of confidence and vigour.
Earlier, national professor Mustafa Nurul Islam inaugurated the premier show of the National Theatre Reparatory Production as chief guest. Playwright Manzur-e Moula, poet-dramatist Syed Shamsul Haque, director Ataur Rahman and director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky delivered speeches.
Ataur Rahman at a press conference earlier on Saturday shared his thought process of presenting a historical incident in Tagore’s life. The session was presided over by Liaquat Ali Lucky at the seminar room of the academy.
‘People know Rabindranath as a poet, author, humanist and lover of nature; however, the production will depict Tagore as a fighter who fought for mass people,’ Ataur said. He also expressed his hope to stage the production in Jalliwanwala Bagh where the real incident took place about 100 years ago’, Ataur said.
He also informed that he had chosen the best theatre activists to perform in the play. Ataur Rahman further informed that he had changed the play’s original title ‘Jalliwanwala Bagh’ to ‘Rudro Rabi Jalliwanwala Bagh’.

-With New Age input

Related News

Nazrul’s grandson Kazi Anirban passes away

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Kazi Anirban, the grandson of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, passed away on Wednesday (October 3) in Switzerland due to a heart attack. He was the eldest son of Kazi Aniruddha, the rebel poet’s youngest child. Nazrul Sangeet artiste Khilkhil Kazi, daughter of Nazrul’s eldest son Kazi Sabyasachi, confirmed the news ... Read more

Nazrul’s 125th birth anniversary today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Today is the 125th birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The birth anniversary of Nazrul, widely known as the rebel poet, is observed in Bangladesh on Jyaishtha 11, according to the Bangla calendar. Nazrul, a poet, lyricist, composer, playwright, novelist, revolutionary and journalist, sang equally for freedom and love. ... Read more

Mrinal Sen’s birth anniversary today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Today is the 101st anniversary of the birth of the legendary Bengali filmmaker Mrinal Sen. Born on May 14, 1923 in Faridpur, Mrinal Sen moved to Kolkata to study and became involved in left-wing politics, cultural activities, and film production. One of the most politically active filmmakers, he, after having studied ... Read more

Zainul Abedin’s 109th birth anniv today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Today is the 109th anniversary of the birth of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin. On the occasion, different organisations and admirers will pay tribute to Zainul Abedin placing floral wreaths on his grave on the Dhaka University premises in the morning. Zainul is best known for his sketches of the Bengal famine of ... Read more

Manik Bandopadhyay’s death anniversary today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Today is the 67th anniversary of the death of Bengali novelist and short story writer Manik Bandopadhyay. Born on May 19, 1908 to Harikar Bandopadhyay and Niroda Devi in Dumka, a small town in Santal Parganas district in the state of Bihar, British India, Manik Bandopadhyay was the fifth of the ... Read more

Qayyum Chowdhury ’s death anniversary today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Today is the ninth anniversary of the death of acclaimed artist Qayyum Chowdhury. Born on March 9, 1932 in Feni, Qayyum Chowdhury’s works delve deep into folk, rustic life and traditions. Fish, flowers, women, birds and greenery are recurring objects on his canvas. He graduated from the Government Institute of Arts ... Read more

Festival honoring cultural diversity called “Sadhu Mela.”

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organize “Sadhu Mela” on November 28 in a colorful demonstration of cultural diversity carrying on the custom that dates back to 2019. Taking place on the day of Fakir Lalon Shai’s Disappearance Day on every full moon, the event has become a noteworthy regular event in the ... Read more

‘Quarantine’ exhibition by artist Mahbubur Rahman begins today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com The opening ceremony of the exhibition comprising multi-dimensional artworks of artist Mahbubur Rahman will be held today at 5 pm. The exhibit titled, “Quarantine”, has been organised at the Kamrul Hasan Exhibition (level 1) of Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi. Professor Bulbul Osman, women and human rights activist Khushi Kabir and artist ... Read more

SM Sultan’s 29th death anniversary today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Today is the 29th anniversary of the death of renowned artist SM Sultan. Different organisations, including Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, SM Sultan Foundation and Narail district administration will pay tribute to SM Sultan organising daylong programmes at different venues in Narail’s Sultan Smriti Sangrahasala, Shishu Swarga and Zila Shilpakala Academy. Born on ... Read more

‘Tasher Desh’ staged at Scholastica school

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com With immense zeal and fervour, Scholastica Senior Campus, Mirpur staged the splendid play ‘Tasher Desh’, a masterpiece by the revered poet Rabindranath Tagore. The school’s STM hall served as the majestic environment for this two-day annual drama festival, culminating on a Friday. The talented students, members of the esteemed drama, music, ... Read more

Poet Asad Chowdhury passes away

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Noted poet Asad Chowdhury died of old-age complications while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Toronto, Canada on Thursday. He was 80. The poet ‘died at 3:03am Canada time’ and ‘at 1:03pm Bangladesh time’, the poet’s son-in-law Nadim Iqbal posted on facebook Thursday afternoon. The poet died at the Lakeridge Health ... Read more

Shilpakala inaugurates nationwide puppet festival

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com A twelve day long puppetry festival titled “Gonojagoron er Putul Natya Utshob” inaugurated on Friday. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has organised the nationwide festival . According to BSA, puppetry is one of the most effective means of folk education. Through its presentation and stylistic approach over the ages, puppetry has played a ... Read more

SD Burman’s birth anniversary today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Today is the 117th anniversary of the birth of legendary singer and music director Sachin Dev Burman. SD Burman, born in 1906 in Cumilla, composed playbacks for over 100 films. Leading singers of the Indian subcontinent like Lata Mangeskhar, Mohammad Rafi, Geeta Dutta, Manna Dey, Asha Bosle, Mukesh and Talat Mahmud ... Read more

Shilpakala Academy organizes exhibition of artist Ismail Chowdhury’s artwork

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organized a solo painting exhibition of painter Ismail Chowdhury. Painter Ismail Chowdhury has participated in more than half a hundred solo and joint exhibitions in various countries including Bangladesh, Japan, USA, Italy, Nepal, and Bhutan, reads a press release. The elite and talented artists of the country have ... Read more

Feroza Begum’s 9th death anniv today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Today is the ninth anniversary of the death of the legendary Nazrul Sangeet singer Feroza Begum. Feroza Begum was born on July 28, 1926 to Khan Bahadur Mohammad Ismail and Begum Kawakabonnessa. Drawn to music at an early age, Feroza Begum started her formal music education under the tutelage of Chitta ... Read more

Bhupen Hazarika’s birth anniv today

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Today is the 97th anniversary of the birth of eminent singer, lyricist and musician Bhupen Hazarika, who is still popular among music lovers in Bangladesh. He conquered the heart of thousands in Bangladesh rendering timeless songs, including Manush Manusher Janya, Ami Ek jajabar, Amra Korbo joy, Bistirna Duparer, Megh Thom Thom ... Read more

IUB organises musical evening to celebrate Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com A musical evening was organised at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) campus in Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential Area on Thursday (27 July) to mark the birth anniversaries of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. Renowned singers Adity Mohsin and Bijon Chandra Mistry performed Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geeti respectively. IUB’s Kazi Nazrul ... Read more

Dhaka Theater to celebrate golden jubilee this year

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Marking the golden jubilee of one of the prolific theatre troupes of the country, Dhaka Theater will celebrate its 50 years on July 29. Established in 1973 by freedom fighter and noted cultural personality Nasir Uddin Yusuff, along with some brave freedom fighters, the troupe earned acclaim in both nationally and ... Read more

Sourav Chowdhury’s 5th solo exhibition underway at AFD

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com The 5th solo art exhibition of Sourav Chowdhury titled “Eternal Existence” has begun at Alliance Française de Dhaka. The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was held on Friday, 21 July 2023 at 6 pm at La Galerie. Eminent artist Prof. Rafiqun Nabi, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of France in Bangladesh, ... Read more

Ten Years After Rana Plaza show opens at Drik Gallery on Friday

Cultural Desk : dhakamirror.com Ten Years After Rana Plaza, an immersive exhibition marking ten years of the Rana Plaza disaster through interdisciplinary works on the subject by Bangladeshi photographer and filmmaker, Ismail Ferdous, is set to begin on Friday (21 July) at Drik Gallery, Dhaka, said a press release. Following the tragic collapse of the ... Read more