Behular Bhashan staged at NSD Theatre Utsav

A narrator (C) reciting the prologue in the play

The mythical story of 'Behula's voyage' can be compared with the Greek classic of 'Odysseus' journey'. However, in the play, the ancient story has inner meaning. Through her voyage, Behula discovers the inherent negative characteristics of masculinity such as lust, treachery, greed and others. In fact, Behular Bhashan can be called a saga of oppression of womanhood in the male dominated social structure.

The text of the play has been selected, arranged, edited and re-composed by Biplob Bala, Farida Akhter Lima, Tania Sultana, Nahida Sultana Sati, Sydur Rahman Lipon, Apurba Kumar Roy, Rokibul Hasan and the performers of the production. The script has been derived from the ancient stories from Padma Puran and Manasa Mangal By Narayan Deb, Bijay Gupta, Ketakidas Khemananda, Bipradas Pipilai, Bais Kabi and Tantra Bibhuti.

As the director Syed Jamil Ahmed has followed pala gaan genre, an indigenous performing art form. He has unfolded ‘Behula's journey’ through a narrator.

Abdul Halim Pramanik performed in the role of the lead narrator while Taskin Binte Siddique performed in the role of Behula. Mohammad Rohul Amin, Sudip Chakroborthy and Abdul Halim Pramanik performed the characters featuring the negative instincts of masculinity.

The show impressed the theatre personalities as well as foreign delegates attending the festival.