Let there be light!

This is the story of a group, but more than that, it's the story of the man behind it.

Sunil Biswas was born in a family of tea workers in Habiganj's Chunarughat upazila's Deondi garden in 1965. Education was a luxury in a family like his, where his parents earned a daily wage of Tk 11.25 each after a full day of work.

He, however, continued his studies alongside helping his parents in the garden and went on to become one of the very few graduates from his community.

With education, came awareness. His surroundings and the perils of his community include extreme poverty, oppression, illiteracy and addiction. Losing some of his close relatives to alcohol addiction was a point he realised he needed a voice against all of it.

That is when he started a theatre group. Drama and education, he says, "are the only weapons that we have in our fight against extreme poverty."

Thus, the journey of Pratik Theatre started on April 14, 1986. This year, they will be celebrating their 36th anniversary with a two-day festival starting from today.

The beginning was humble. The group had only 13-15 members initially, and all the expenses were carried out by Sunil from the little amount that he could save.

"The group now has over 70 members, working selflessly and relentlessly," said Sunil, the founding president of Pratik Theatre.

The theatre has changed many lives ever since, apart from contributing to a collective change. Sorfullo Mal, a 57-year-old tea worker is one prominent example of that.

Sorfullo got addicted to alcohol at a very young age and later got involved in the alcohol trade. He also became negligent towards his family when alcohol addiction got the better of him.

Twenty years ago, it was a drama that made way for self-realisation for him. He became a member of the group and is currently one of the senior members. His college-going daughter is a member as well.

Sorfullo Mal is now sober for 20 years.

Many others like Pancham Bauri (52), Chandan Mahali (60) and Onila Urang (52) echoed the same.

Tofazzal Sohel, former organising secretary of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation's Sylhet chapter, said, "Sunil is working with more enthusiasm than ever to bring a meaningful and sustainable impact in his community."

"Many are following Sunil's example. He is an asset to the community," said Mamunur Rashid, prominent actor, director and playwright.

THE FAILED REVOLUTION

Meanwhile, tea workers will observe Tea Workers Day today like every year.

On May 20, 1921, around 30,000 tea labourers in Sylhet started a march towards Chandpur Meghna Ghat, when the then Assamese police opened fire on the protestors, killing many of them.

Sunil has narrated the incident on multiple shows in many places, including Dhaka.

Tea workers have also set up an installation named "Mulluk Bhaskorjo" -- portraying the revolt -- in Deondi tea garden.