'Indigenous story-based plays on the rise' --Mosleuddin

Mosleuddin Sikdar

Says Mosleuddin, 'Like Dhaka, in Chittagong, there are a few talented directors, designers and artistes who studied theatre at the National School of Drama (NSD) in India and Chittagong University. But their works are not well recognised as they are not well focused.

'Theatre practice in Chittagong is Shilpakala Academy Hall-based, like theatre practice in Dhaka is Baily Road-based. The Theatre Institute of Chattogram (TIC) has added new hope for the theatre activists. Moreover, theatre is practiced in two other halls-- Muslim Institute Hall and Studio Theatre Hall. There is a huge turnout of people at the theatre halls to watch quality plays in Chittagong. But these events are not well focused. Moreover the Dhaka-based artistes have the option of working in the electronic media' he adds.

Commenting on the limitations of theatre practice in Chittagong, Mosleuddin says, 'We have a crisis of quality playwrights in Chittagong. That is why we stage adaptations or translations of the foreign plays. But, the scenario is changing. A few of the theatrical groups are now staging indigenous story based drama. And our two productions--Uttoradhikar and Prem Puran belong to this genre. Moreover, we are confronted with a huge financial crunch.'

Studying theatre at the Department of Fine Arts at Chittagong University, Mosleuddin is now directing and designing lights for the stage plays. On his directorial approach, he says, 'I am basically narrative.' Mosleuddin considers Kamaluddin Nilu, Jamil Ahmed and Zia Hydar as his ideals as director. Besides directing in theatrical groups in Chittagong, Mosleuddin has also directed in many theatrical groups of Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Faridpur and other districts. However, he is yet to receive proper recognition for his works, says Mosleuddin.