Theatre play ‘Razia Sultan’ staged at Tejgaon College

Honouring the traditions and history of the Indian subcontinent, students of the Theatre and Madia Department of Tejgaon College staged the historical play "Razia Sultan" yesterday at the Principal Abdur Rashid Auditorium of the college.

The play is set to be performed on the Principal Abdur Rashid Auditorium till March 2.

As chief guest of the event, Home Minister of Bangladesh Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was present, alongside Professor Dr Biswajit Ghosh, Department of Bangla, Dhaka University, and Professor Wahida Mollick Jolly amongst others.

The show started with a small speech from the Home Minister. "Theatre has been a part of Bangali culture for a long time even though its popularity has toned down a bit in the present," he said. "The play embodies our thousand years old cultural history and the richness of our arts – be it our local Pala Songeet, dance or theatre plays."

After the speech, traditional musical performances were arranged.

"Razia Sultan" revolved around the only female Sultan of Delhi Razia Sultan, who became the heir apparent of the throne after the untimely death of the crown prince. The play intermixed vigorous performance with traditional songs focusing on Razia Sultan's rise in power as the 5th sultan to her short four-year reign and her fall during the war to reclaim her throne.

"Razia Sultan was the first female ruler of the Indian sub-continent who, against all odds, ruled such a huge sultanate," said Dr Biswajit Ghosh. "Many call her as Razia Sultana. But this play is titled 'Razia Sultan', denoting a stance against gender biasness throughout the play."

Under the supervision of the Principal of Tejgaon College, Professor Md. Abdur Rashid, "Razia Sultan" was written by Dr Jaharabi Ripon and directed by Professor Atiqul Islam and Syed Mohamad Zubair of the Theatre and Media Department, Tejgaon College. Professor Harun Ar Rashid took care of setting the stage.