Pratibimba: A message- oriented social drama

A scene from the play. PHOTO: STAR

Protiggya Parishad, a Danida-funded NGO from Comilla, focused on these issues on the proscenium arch stage. The awareness building exercise, a production titled Pratibimba, was staged at the National Theatre Stage on April 4. The experimental production was a part of the ongoing Denmark-Bangladesh joint cultural exchange programme, which coincides with the bicentenary of Danish fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen.

Pratibimba is set against the backdrop of Pabna Mental Hospital, where a doctor during her case studies unveils some tragic stories about people with mental disorders. Each of these stories is rooted in reality. Further, as Pratibimba is an improvised production there is no single playwright. Rather a stage play has been formed through the editing of all the improvised sequences.

Director Mir Mehbub Alam Nahid has handled the experimental "Development Theatre" technique efficiently. Through the narrator he has unveiled the story of the play. The play unfolds and takes an interesting twist during a sequence when the mob continuously interrogates a sane parson about his family secrets and ultimately drives him crazy. The transformation of the character and the technique is appreciable. Moreover, he has used some rural events such as palagan and games for choreography.

As an awareness generating play, simple portable elements such as a stick and rope have been used as the set of the play. However, the light design needs further attention.

Pratibimba is an example of good teamwork of the artistes who have given their utmost to put together an interesting and artistic stage production.

Earlier in a short discussion, Danish Ambassador Niels Severin Munk and Project Director of Protiggya Parishod Imran Zulkarnain delivered speeches. Hanne Tornager, the Culture and Development consultant was the host of the discussion session.