Jubilation under the star-lit sky

Baul songs presented by Rukhsana Akhtar and her group

Earlier the programme was inaugurated by Ajit Ray, a veteran artiste of the Shwadhin Bangla Betar Kendra at the Central Shaheed Minar. Professor Anisuzzaman, Ramendu Majumdar, Asaduzzaman Noor, Golam Kuddus and Nasiruddin Yussuf spoke on the occation. Artistes of Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Kranti, Hrishij and Padatik Sangeet Sangsaad rendered the national anthem and the inaugural song.

Singing, dancing, poetry recitation and a play under the star-lit sky : a variety of celebration for Victory Day was held on the 14th at the Dhanmandi amphitheatre. The stage was bright wth coloured festoons and was lit up with lights, while the surrounding eight tiers of cement seats was crowded with hundreds of viewers. They came from all walks of life, and included children in jeans and skirts along with their sari-clad mothers, students, cultural activists in sleeveless "koaties" or "chadars", and the average run of the mill passers-by, who had settled down for a good measure of the free entertainment on that early winter evening. Packets of peanuts were being consumed along with tea from flasks from teen-aged vendors, as the viewers settled in for viewing from 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and beyond.

Nargis Chowdhury and her young group from Paddatik Sangeet Sangsad sang "Mora shotter pore mon" from Tagore and "Aaj stristir shokhey ullahse" from Nazrul. The singers included Farzana, Sharnali, Sadia, Nilmoni, Netrangan,Orun and Shagor. They had the accompaniment of the harmonium by Nargis as she led the singing, "tabla" by Gautam and flute by Jahangir. "Our group," explained Nargis, "is mainly a theatre group and the singing is an extension of that as singing is often required in plays too. We go in for recitation and dancing too in Paddatik.

Talking to Mashrukur Rahman Tito, the leader of "Shorokolpona Abriti Chakra" that usually gathers together at the TSE, DU, one learnt that out of the 80 regular members, 20 had gathered there that evening; the group included Naz, Jhuma, Lipi, Sibo, Shikha, Pardip, Adnan, Monir, Safayet etc. "The script was written by Mustafiz Rippon. Some of us are students while others are working. We meet on Fridays and Saturdays at the TSE. We have come together on this occasion to denounce the evil Al-Badar and Al-Shams who had tortured our innocent people. The script is taken from the writings of various poets. We are also protesting against the wrong doings in the present political scenario and what has gone by in the last three decades.

The evening rounded up with the 50 minutes Patha-natak (play) "No Man's Land,", performed by "Prachcha Natt," written by Rahul Anand and directed by Saiful Islam. The piece was a criticism of nationalism through wit and humour. The play also dealt with social problems too such as that of the sex-workers who are not necessarily heartless and greedy. The characters, eight in all, included ones representing the police, army, bureaucrats in power, a thief, two servants and a dog. Farzana Kabir Khan Snikdha, who played the role of a gaily painted up sex-worker, with paste jewelley and brightly painted cheeks and lips, said, "We chose this play as it presented both global and national complexities and problems."

Rahul Ananda, said, "We often fail to realize that we're a part of the vast world, which itself is a part of the entire universe, so immersed are we in our selfish existence. This division into nations is not altogether purposeful when it involves the loss of thousands of lives over the years tracing history over centuries. The play involves meaningless tussle over property and possessions."

In the play, Jahangir Alam played the role of the officer, Debashish Talukdar was the thief, Shahriyar Ferdous took the part of the police officer, while Shahriyar Shaon was one of the house-helps. The actresses included Rubiya Manzoor, Rumana Akhter and Farzana Snikdha. The young performers, who were mostly students, had practiced for the play at Dilu Road, Magbazar, giving time every day for week. "It's our passion and obsession and not a profession and so we didn't mind acting out our roles till late into the night," recounted Snigdha.

Selim SH Chowdhury was the convenor of the Rabindra Sharobar Stage of the Victory Day programme.