Dhaka Drama Festival 2004
A Theatre Art Natyadal production
Is it possible for man, to avoid inherent jealousy or cruelty? In answer to this question,Marathiplaywright Sawdesh Dipak in his play Court Martial has tried to find out the truth from the most disciplined institution of a nation- the army. Salil Sarkar of Kolkata translated Dipak's play, and later SM Solaiman adapted it.
On June 3, at the Experimental Theatre Stage Theatre Art Natyadal staged Solaiman's Court Martial as part of the drama festival arranged by BGTF.
In Dipak's original play, he tried to focus on the caste issue of the Hindu community recreating a court martial scene of a lower caste soldier. The crime: the murder of a high caste officer and the injury of an army major.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. SM Solaiman's Court Martial is based on a sensitive issue of our freedom struggle- the plight of the children of the Biranganas (the ravished women) and the rehabilitation of the children of the Pakistani collaborators after the Liberation War.
In the play, Colonel Rabbi finally passed the death sentence on the soldier, the son of a Birangana, who killed an officer and injured another major for using slang against his mother.
SM Solaiman has tried to create a typical court atmosphere on the stage. Sometimes, his approach to the court martial is a little exaggerated.
The performers used realistic costumes of the Bangladesh Army.
Hamayet Hossain Tapan has created a courthouse by using few chairs-tables and two witness boxes on the stage.
Thandu Raihan's light design is simple. His colour composition using blue light from the top to emphasise the soldier's hanging at the end of the play was appropriate.
Teamwork of the performers made the play more interesting. However, Rashidul Hassan Liton would have done greater justice to the role of Major Mahmood, if he had fumbled less.
Shimul Yousuff
Popularising folk music in theatre
Along with her long diversified acting career on stage, Manchakushum Shimul Yousuff is also a popular music composer for the stage plays. The regular member of the popular theatre group--Dhaka Theatre, noted singer Shimul is the music composer of all the plays of the group.
On her procedure of composing music, Shimul says, 'I usually compose music for the plays according to the demand of the theme. Basically I emphasise on the folk music since most of our plays demand that.'
In the festival, Dhaka Theatre staged Hat Hadai. Regarding the composition of the music Shimul says, 'It was composed in 1989. I basically emphasised on Gazir Gaan, Shari Gaan and Geet trend of our folk music.'
'I have used vocals, whistle, dhol, mandira and keyboards while composing the music' Shimul added.
Ershad Kamol