Recitation group: A profile

Recitation artistes performing at a show

Since 1984 this group has organised 34 workshops. They have trained people in the practical and theoretical aspects of voice and speech development, recitation and pronunciation.'These workshops have helped to improve the pronunciation and vocal expression of the participants from all walks of life,' claims Bhaswar. 'Especially appreciative are the teachers or performers who have problems in speaking in a clear and original accent and who have regional dialects.'

The participants are given grades in three categories like Shamman (Honours), Shapholya (Success) and Shadharon (General). Bhaswar points out that the participants, who have got the first grade Shamman, are being included in the group as activists and recitors. After the six-month provisional period, the participants are given membership of the group by evaluating their performance throughout the period. The group has conducted at least five workshops for the children age group of six to 12 who have performed in recitation programmes and plays.

The syllabus that determines which poems will be recited, is set and homework is given to the members, every Friday. Previously the group members used to meet in the Teachers Students Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University. 'However, after the new government has come to power, we don't have the provision to have our meetings there, ' says Bhaswar regretfully.

Among the 100 productions of Katha, the most successful are: Hajar Churashir Ma, Natuner Jonyo Shok, Shochchar Shabdaboli, Praney Pran Mil Korey Dao, Shishutirtho, Abhijan which are also noteworthy recitation compositions. Among the members, Enamul Haque, Syed Shahidul Islam, Abdus Selim Choudhury, Abdur Rahman, Titash, Sabera Mahmub, Tania, Tariq and Mizan are the regular performers.

Another style of recitation is Sruti Path, that is staging a play in a shorter version and in the style of recitation. In Sruti Path the performers dress up as the characters of the play but they deliver the dialogue by sitting in a fixed place without any physical movements. Many famous plays like Nuraldiner Shara Jibon, Oedipus and Payer Awaj Pawa Jay have been staged as Sruti Path. The group also counts satiric and issue-based rhymes as recitation.

Katha has performed in various programmes and visited West Bengal a number of times. The festivals like Pashchim Utsav, Padma Ganga Utsav and Jamuna Bramhaputra Utsav were attended by venerable personalities like Sunil Ganguly, Ranesh Dasgupta and Partho Ghosh who were highly appreciative of Katha's performance.

Interestingly one of the most powerful actors of the country, Ali Zaker, always refers the members of his group Nagarik Natya Shamprodaya, to Katha' for learning perfect pronunciation and vocal acting,' says Bondyapadhaya proudly.

The latest venture of this group is to stage Prothom Partho by Buddhadev Basu. The objective of Katha is promoting recitation as an art form not only in our country but also beyond national boundaries.