A Studio Theatre presentation by Shabdaboli

A scene from the play

Shunanda Bashar has dramatised Neel Mayurer Jouban, which features the historical struggle of the Bengalis since the era of Charyapada. The latter is an antique palm-leaf manuscript featuring 8th-12th century Buddhist poems from eastern India that provide early examples of Assamese, Oriya and Bengali languages.

The manuscript has 47 verses, written by 23 poets, but Neel Mayurer Jouban featured only two major poets-- one of 8th century poet Kahnapa and 11th century poet Bhusukupa. Extending over two periods, Neel Mayurer Jouban, portrays the glorious resistance of the poets against the rulers.

The production style of the Neel Mayurer Jouban is different in that it is a Studio Theatre, an intimate theatre performance staged for a limited audience. The experimental production, directed by Syed Dulal, was appreciated by the audience.

Director Dulal, who is the president of the troupe as well as the presidium member of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, pointed out that nowadays his troupe is doing only 'Studio Theatre' in Barisal. To quote him, "Barisal Town Hall, the only theatre hall in Barisal, is not the ideal place for theatre. This explains why a few active theatre troupes are doing Studio Theatre in the district towns. The theatre form is suitable even in areas with insufficient infrastructural facilities."

Dulal further said that since its inception in 1978, Shabdaboli Theatre is one of the few troupes in Barisal to stage quality productions.

So far the troupe has staged 45 productions, including 16 Studio Theatre performances.