The spirit of Liberation War in theatre

Katha Ekattur, a play on the Liberation War produced by his troupe Dhaka Padatik, has earned plaudits. Katha Ekattur is not the only theatre performance on Liberation War; Debashish has directed nine theatre performances on the freedom struggle. His productions such as Astitta, Punaruththan and Ekhono Swapno feature the rehabilitation of the Pakistani collaborators of 1971 as well as apathy of the younger generation to the legacy of the Liberation War.

Debashish claims that his directorial approach is different from most of the directors who deal with the same issue. To quote him, Say for example, Kotha Ekattur realistically features the Liberation War -- from the vantage of "Operation Search Light" (the master plan of Pakistani Army to annihilate the Bengalis on the eve of March 25) till the 'Victory of Bangladesh'. However, most of the current plays on the Liberation War present a fragmented story of that time and show the anguish and frustration of the freedom fighters in the post-Liberated Bangladesh. "I've portrayed the genocide carried out by the Pakistani Army and their collaborators in the play, says Debashish.

In each show of Katha Ekattur, Debashish invites a prominent figure to deliver speeches against the Pakistani collaborators in order to give a realistic touch to his social drama. He said, The first scene of the play features a dialogue between a father (who is a freedom fighter), and his son (who represents the younger generation). I do it intentionally just to portray the reality that some of the offspring of the freedom fighters are alienated from the spirit of the Liberation War and have been influenced by the western lifestyle. And the play ends optimistically by awakening the younger generation to the reality and spirit of the War."

Debashish prefers more street theatre performances than urban theatre for a limited audience. So far he has directed many street theatre performances like Piyar Chand, Amio Juddhe Jabo, Pratiddhuni Shuni and others produced by different organisations as well as for Proshika. He said, The Pakistani collaborators of '71 have been spreading their 'messages' to the younger generation, thereby the nation is divided. But, we have failed to present analytical works on Liberation to the masses. As a result the younger generation is not well informed about the Liberation War. To reach the target audience the theatre performances must be balanced and at the same time have clear objectives. That's why plays should not create any enigma or oversimplification of the crisis. Otherwise plays cannot touch the masses.

Debashish has directed three folk based theatre performances. Currently he is directing a play titled Anya Gazir Anya Kissa which will be premiered on December 26 at Mahila Samity Stage. Alok Basu's play is produced by Natyajan.