"I have a very good impression of Bangladeshi theatre" -- Amal Allana

Amal Allana

During her Dhaka visit, Allana has had a first hand view of contemporary Bangladeshi theatre. Moreover, she has had discussions with the leaders of International Theatre Institute Bangladesh Centre (ITIBC).

Allana said, "This is my first visit to Dhaka. Basically I have come here to have an overview of Bangladeshi theatre. I have had fruitful discussions with the ITIBC leaders. We exchanged notes on various issues, especially for the enhancement of the collaboration works with theatre personalities. Moreover, we spoke about the resumption of scholarships for Bangladeshi students in NSD.

"I have heard from my Bangladeshi counterparts that the NSD scholarship for the Bangladeshi students has been stopped for many years. However, NSD is proud of Bangladeshi students like Jamil Ahmed, Kamaluddin Nilu and Tariq Anam Khan who are doing stellar work after the completion of their diploma from NSD. That is why I will discuss the issue in Delhi. And I am hopeful about resuming the scholarship for Bangladeshi students", added Allana.

In the course of her stay in Dhaka, Allana has watched a few stage plays. Allana said, "So far I have watched three plays: Golapjan, a Theatre Art Unit production, Shonai Bibir Pala, a Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT) production and Ahorkandol, a Janmasutra production. And I will watch a few more here in Dhaka. Earlier I watched The Lesson, staged by CAT in the NSD Drama Festival-2005 in Delhi. I have a very good impression about Bangladeshi theatre. I will request the NSD festival selection committee to consider my suggestion.

On the selection procedure of NSD Drama Festival, Allana said, "The selection process of NSD Drama festival is very simple. The troupe has to submit an application with detailed information as well as a video of the play. Then the selection of committee invites the troupe for the festival."

What is she planning for the next NSD Drama Festival? Says Allana, "The NSD Drama Festival-2006 will start from January 2- 14. In this festival we have opened the window for the participation of more foreign troupes. We expect troupes from China, Japan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and some middle-eastern countries. The festival can be a great opportunity for theatre experts to exchange ideas through staging of the plays and discussions on the plays from different countries. All the plays from the foreign countries, except Bangladesh, have already been selected. We will select 60 plays for the festival."

Giving an overview of the theatre scenario in India, Allana said, "In India there are many quality institutions and gurus, but there are not that many theatre companies. As a result, though the directors and designers are continuing their creative work, the actors are unfortunately immersed in cinema and TV plays."

Currently Allana is working on Binodini, based on the autobiography of the 19th century Bengali pioneering theatre actor Binodini Dasi.