Binodini in Chittagong

Shimul Yousuff performs in the role of Binodini Dasi

Dhaka Theatre, a popular theatre troupe of the country, and TIC have come to an agreement on staging a Dhaka Theatre production each month for the Chittagong audience. Each month Dhaka Theatre will stage their latest production Binodini at TIC Auditorium.

Ahmed Iqbal Haidar, director of TIC, said, "To popularise our theatre hall we have invited theatre troupes to stage plays at TIC. Any troupe from Bangladesh and abroad can take the opportunity to stage shows at the auditorium. Dhaka Theatre has responded positively to stage Binodini. Dhaka Theatre will stage 10 shows of Binodini. Bengal Foundation is supporting us. After this venture Aranyak Natyadal will have a similar agreement with us."

Nasiruddin Yousuff, chief of Dhaka Theatre, said, "Audience from outside Dhaka hardly come to Dhaka to watch plays. As a result they miss many quality stage plays. That is why we have planned to stage Binodini for the Chittagong audience. In the coming winter we have plans to stage Binodini in a few districts of North Bengal. Moreover, we hope to stage the play at Sylhet."

Binodini is a play on the biography of the pioneer theatre activist of Indian sub-continent Binodini Dasi, an actress with a dark past.

Simon Zakaria, with guidance from Selim Al Deen, Nasiruddin Yousuff and Shimul Yousuff, has dramatised Binodini. Simon has used two autobiographies by Binodini Dasi-- Aamar Kotha and Aamar Abhinoy Jibon, several poems written by Binodini and a few reference books on this pioneering female theatre artiste of the subcontinent.

Directed by Nasiruddin Yousuff, Binodini is a solo performance by Shimul Yousuff. Binodini will be staged tomorrow evening at TIC Auditorium.