My dream is to see professionals in theatre: Wahida

Wahida in a stellar performance in Janak

The beginnings
Jolly started her career in Rajshahi when she was a young girl of around nine. Her father Tofazzal Hossain was an actor and director of theatre and was obviously culturally oriented. To quote Jolly, 'I used to watch theatre, classical music programmes and painting exhibitions with my father during my childhood. Since then I have been keen on acting in theatre.' Acknowledges Jolly, 'I didn't have to struggle like many of the actresses of that time.'

Besides acting, Jolly used to be involved in announcement and recitation on radio. 'I liked to act in radio plays and I am still looking for avenues in this medium,' says Jolly.

A few years later, Jolly did two stage plays: Spartakas Bishayyak Jotilata written by Mamtazuddin Ahmed and Bikkubdha Atit and Nazrul written by Sheikh Akram Ali and directed by her father Tofazzal Hossain. Then for a few years she worked on stage intermittently.

The chapter of Rabindra Bharati University
After finishing her Honours and MA from Rajshahi University in 1985, Jolly went to Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata to study drama. During that period she joined the 'Theatre Workshop', a famous theatre group in Kolkata. Some of Jolly's notable works with the group are Dibaratro, May Dibosher Galpo, Bela Aubelar Galpo, Lathi and Muktodhara. In her words, 'In the Theatre Workshop I got the opportunity to work with the famous directors like Ashok Mukhopaddhay and Kumar Roy'.

Jolly directed two plays when she was a student of drama. The plays are Shakuntala and Shajahan written by Kalidas and DLRay respectively. Jolly says, 'Rabindra Bharati is a remarkable period of my life. The university played a vital role in sharpening my artistic sensibilities and creativity.'

Drishyapat
Jolly returned from Kolkata in 1989. Along with a group of artistes, she set up a professional theatre group named Drishyapat. So far, three plays have been produced by the group.

TV career
Jolly has many remarkable TV plays to her credit. Her notable works on this front are Shukher Nonggar, Jey Golper Shesh Acha, Bijmantra, Pap-punya, Strir Patra, Bishnun, Auboho, Dichakrojan, and Bangshagoti.

She has worked with many famous directors such as Saidul Anam Tutul, Masum Reza, Giasuddin Selim and Mustafa Monwar. 'TV dramas have come a long way since the inception of Ekushey TV and I am also trying to play different characters,' says Jolly.

Recent work
At present Jolly is working in many mega serials such as Ranger Manush, Pariber o Akti Company, Megh Bolechhey Jabo Jabo and Chena Shukh Auchana Dukkho. Very recently she has directed a play Maddham Byayog by Vas for the final year students of Dhaka University. Besides this, Jolly is performing as a guest artiste with Natyachakro(a theatre group). The play Janak, is a translation of Strindberg's The Father. It was translated by Munir Choudhury and directed by Debprashad Debnath. 'Now I am thinking of working as a guest artiste in theatre regularly' says Jolly.

Jolly's dream
'I can't plan for the future because I am very haphazard about my work schedule. But my dream is to see professionals in theatre. And I also dream of a reparatory production,' says Jolly, adding, 'I am also thinking of reviving Drishyapat again.'