Cultural Correspondent: The Repertory Theatre troupe of District Shilpakala Academy, Chuadanga stages ‘Nil Darpan’ at the Experimental Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday. — Press release
The Repertory Theatre troupe of District Shilpakala Academy, Chuadanga staged ‘Nil Darpan’, written by Dinabandhu Mitra and directed by Abdus Salam Shoikat, at the Experimental Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday.
The play was staged on the second day of a two-day festival organised by the BSA marking the 150th anniversary of Bangala Sadharan Rangaloy.
The play was designed like a traditional pala comprising songs and dance recitals.
Nil Darpan depicts the struggles of farmers in the 19th century Bengal who were forced to cultivate indigo by Europeans.
Goluk Chunder Basu, an old rich farmer, commits suicide in jail because he was wrongfully convicted in a case filed by British indigo businessmen for refusing to cultivate indigo. His son Nobin Madhab is murdered by the British. After the death of Nobin Madhab, all members of his family gradually die and the play moves forward.
Shamim Shagor designed the stage and light and Hiron Ur Rashid Shanto composed the music for the play.
‘We have tried to stage the play like a traditional pala because a lot of people have read the play. We wrote songs and composed dance recitals for the play. We want to pay tribute to farmers who revolted against indigo planters,’ said Abdus Salam Shoikat.
Bangla Theatre staged Nil Darpan under the direction of thespian Mamunur Rashid at the same venue on the opening day of the festival on Saturday.
Mamunur Rashid and director general of the BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky were present at the festival’s inaugural ceremony. Deputy director of the BSA Ali Ahmed Mukul delivered the welcome speech.
Mamunur Rashid said, ‘Bangala Sadharan Rangaloy staged Nil Darpan in front of common people for the first time. The audience bought tickets to watch the play. After Bangala Sadharan Rangaloy was inaugurated in 1872, many theatre productions were written and staged that addressed human rights. The British Raj imposed the Dramatic Performances Act and many actors and directors were arrested and sentenced to imprisonment. We pay tribute to all theatre activists of Bangala Sadharan Rangaloy by staging the play.’
The festival ended on Sunday.
