Premier show of Juddher Shontan

A scene from Juddher Shontan

Just before the premier show, in a discussion session Ramendu Majumdar, the President of ITI (International Theatre Institute) Bangladesh Branch, Liakat Ali Lucky, the General Secretary of BGTF (Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation) and others delivered speeches.

Ramendu Majumdar said, 'There is a crisis of the playwrights in our country. It is really appreciable that a new theatrical group like Vision Theatre is patronising young Khurshed Alam to contribute more as a playwright in our theatre. Moreover, the plot of the play Juddher Shontan is very rich.'

Liakat Ali Lucky said, 'Though Vision Theatre is not a member of BGTF, however, they are doing well.'

Liakat also criticised the role of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy for not allowing the mainstream theatrical groups to stage plays at the National Theatre Stage.

After the speech, Vision Theatre staged Juddher Shontan by Khurshid Alam.

The play has critically analysed the condition of the war victims of '71, especially the Birongona (women who were raped by Pakistani Army during our Liberation War). Khurshid Alam's script takes us to face several fundamental questions--Were the raped women responsible for their destiny? Why should the war children suffer after the Independence? What have we really done for the freedom fighters?

Director Khurshid Alam has unfolded the story of the play through a narrator. He has been suggestive in his approach.

As a set designer Khurshid Alam has been sometimes realistic and sometimes suggestive. However, the expert designers usually follow one of those approaches. He however, could not handle it properly. His stage craft needs to be improved.

Zillur Rahman's light design failed to maintain each and every requirement of an artistic light design.

All the performers of the play had problems with their pronunciation. There is room for improvement in the play.