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A joyous presentation by the garment workers

6 May 2005, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Cultural Correspondent
6 May 2005, 18:00 PM
Garment workers present a song at the cultural show
Every year, for over a century, workers around the world mark the historic May Day with rallies and speeches, celebrations and demonstrations. Traditionally, these May Day events have provided a primary occasion for workers to express their collective unity, enthusiasm, and their commitment to social change. Workers know that this is their day, but most workers don't know how it came about. The historical background and the significance of the May Day is a commemoration of the historic struggle of the workers throughout the world against capitalism, exploitation, and for safe working conditions and respect for the dignity of workers.

This year also the day was observed in Bangladesh with a fresh vow to institutionalise workers' rights. And to mark this occasion Padatik Natya Sansad along with the Finery Limited organised a cultural programme on May 4 at the National Theatre Complex of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The main attraction of the programme was the participation of 30 garment workers of the Finery Limited, rendering the songs of people and hope in front of a sizable audience. Starting with Rabindranath Tagore's masterpiece song Anondolokey mongolalokey, the workers, mostly women, also rendered the patriotic song Surjodoye tumi surjasteo tumi.

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However, it was the last song by them, the Bangla version of the song of hope We shall overcome rendered as Amra korbo joy, that touched the audience's hearts. The determination and inspiration depicted in the performance of these garment workers charmed everyone.

After the songs, a small discussion programme was held. Chief guest of the programme Rokeya A Rahman, Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu, president of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, ATM Enayet Ullah, managing director of the Intramex Group, Kamal Sharif, chairman, and Mamunul Haq, managing director of the Finery Limited spoke at the session.

The speakers, delighted by the performances by these deprived garment workers, said, in the future this type of programme should be organised in other factories also.

Notably, Padatik Natya Sansad has organised such programmes in recent past. It staged drama Maa of Maxim Gorky and street drama Safder Hashmir Hollabol were performed for machine workers and underprivileged working communities.

After the discussion session, Padatik staged its latest production Jalbalika.