Christina Nygren: Promoting Swedish-Bangladeshi theatre
"The aim is to develop children's creativity by giving them their due as an audience. We seek to generate awareness of children's rights, gender equality, right to education and other social issues," says Christina. And the objective is not just didactic. "Along with education, the objective of the project is to entertain," she adds.
How does this philosophy translate into action? For one, the project seeks to build a bridge between theatre groups in Sweden and Bangladesh, at present cooperating with the Khulna-based Rupantar and Liaquat Ali Lucky's Rakhal and People's Little Theatre. In March, Rupantar went to Sweden to stage performances. Further, around three weeks ago, a Swedish group called Slava came to Khulna to conduct a seven-day workshop. This was to culminate in a joint theatrical production called Song of Man.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Explaining the reasoning behind the partnership, a brochure on the workshop says, "We are relentlessly working to resurrect and rediscover the folk art forms from the roots to rescue them from erosion and oblivion and to use them for community development. So we want to popularise forms like Potgan, Austok, Kirton and Jatra."
In February 2005, another Swedish group, Tittut, is to come to Dhaka for a workshop with schools. "The workshop will serve as a platform to teach new theatrical techniques to the Swedish and Bangladeshi groups," said Christina.
What makes the project even more interesting, is that Rupantar has extended its reach to include rural areas in Sundarbans and the area in Khulna district.
Christina firmly believes that the common person has close links with theatre. She said that the audience in rural areas has a mix of "devotion and emotion" for drama. As she asserted, she has many times seen audiences of 7,000-8,000 people waiting for her an hour or two before a play. "In which country would this happen?" she questions.
Simultaneously with her other projects, Christina is set to publish a book on the performing arts of West Bengal and Bangladesh next year. Given her dedication to theatre, her latest work should be worth a read.