Dhaka Drama Festival 2004
The sufferings of the pariahs on stage
Hermaphrodites are often regarded as burdens on society or as a curse of God. We do not try to understand their problems. On the contrary, we make fun of their frailty. Even the playwrights are guilty of making hermaphrodites a subject of ridicule. That is why it is refreshing to see Aanan Zaman's playShikhandi Katha, which depicts the real life and sufferings of these sidelined people.
Mahakal Natyasampradaya, as part of the Dhaka Drama Festival 2004, staged their current production Shikhandi Katha on July 9, at the Experimental Theatre Stage.
Aanan's ethnographical work Shikhandi Katha focuses on the miserable plight of hermaphrodites as well as the ill treatment that they receive from society. He has presented a fragmented picture of the hermaphrodites' den, their culture and lifestyle. In the soliloquy of a hermaphrodite, at the closing scene, the playwright is so emotional that his character delivers harsh words to the omnipotent God for their creation.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Rashid Haroon's approach as the director of the play is realistic. However, he would have done well to use more narration.
Tanvir Hasan's set symbolically represents the miserable fate of these unfortunate people. He has recreated a palm designed out of wood on the stage to suggest the fate, as the inhabitants of Indian subcontinent have a strong belief in palmistry.
Rafiqul Islam Himel's light design is simple but could not co-ordinate well with the artistes.
Ferdaus Iqram as Ratan needs to develop his emotive potential. Bijay as Shama, Munna as Bulari and Mithu as Bela performed well.
Aanan Zaman
The youngest playwright in the festival
Aanan Zaman has just completed his MA in the Department of Drama and Dramatics from Jahangirnagar University. The young playwright has already written eight stage plays. In the festival, Mahakal Natyasampradaya has staged his play Shikhandi Katha. Aanan said, 'All the plays that I have written so far have been staged by several theatre groups. Of those Shikhandi Katha is the current production of Mahakal Natyasampradaya and the other plays have been staged by two member-groups of Graam Theatre Federation.'
'Rudraleela is my first play. I wrote it when I was a student of class eight. I like to focus on the problems of society. In Shikhandi Katha, I have narrated the miserable condition of the hermaphrodites of the country. To do that I spent a lot of time with these unfortunate people. I did fieldwork with four hermaphrodites at Mohammedpur in the year 2000, to acquaint myself with their lifestyle.'
Regular member of Mahakal, Aanan considers renowned playwright Selim Al Deen as his mentor and wishes to emerge as a prominent dramatist of the country.
Ershad Kamol