Kanthashilan staged Syed Shamsul Haque’s poetic drama Uttarbangsha on the third day of Syed Shamsul Haque Theatre Festival at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday.
Directed by Golam Sarwar, the play is mainly a protest against anti-liberation forces in 1971 and emphasises speedy trial of war crimes done during the war of independence.Although Kanthashilan is primarily a recitation troupe, ‘Uttarbangsha’ is its sixth drama production.
‘When I wrote the drama five years ago, I had no idea of how relevant it will be today. Through the play I had attempted to wake up the common people to take a stance against the war criminals with the spirit of the War of Independence. I will be grateful if my writing succeeds to inspire even a single soul,’ said Haque.
The play, which aims at narrating a sad story of a family during the ’71 war, revolves around three characters—a playwright, his daughter and a politician.
The playwright starts writing a play, portraying the war at the request of a politician. He writes about the tragedy of a woman who faces torture in the Pakistani army camps and finally commits suicide. His daughter, who did not know the reason of her mothers’ demise, comes to know about the reality through her father’s writing. The play ends with the message of arranging trial of war criminals at the earliest.
Era Rahman, Omar Faruq Emon and JM Maruf Siddique of Kanthashilan troupe featured in lead roles.
‘I believe the play will move the hearts of theatre-lovers,’ said Golam Sarwar.
‘The light and sound design in the play was just perfect to give the real feel to the audience,’ said Tarek, an audience.
-With New Age input
