Teerthankar by Shubachan Natya Shangshad
Through the story of Sohrab-Rustam from the Persian epic Shahanama, the playwright, Samina Lutfa Nitra has expressed the facts of the world politics and the inherent tendency of the people to rule others. Like Machiavelli, many other naturalists proved the inherent tendency of human being to achieve the ultimate power. The naturalists also say, that to reach this goal a man may adopt any brutal ways. Legendary Sohrab-Rustam story in the Shahanama is not an exception to this.
Nitra starts the play in a new way. We see that the Teerthankars (pilgrims), in their endless journey, look for a knife to open up the treasury of legends and tales. And they find only the stories of repression on humanity. Rustam, Tahmina, Kaikuas, Afraseur and even Sohrab rose to the highest level of power but all of them experience loneliness. The crown pushes them to madness, ruin and death.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The story of Sohrab-Rustam is only a medium and not a destination in Nitra's play. The story-tellers locate the legend of Sohrab-Rustam and they try to unfold the unquenchable thirst of the restless civilisation marching today towards globalisation. The ego, greed, hegemony and savagery represented by the characters of the story have been dramatically resurrected against the backdrop of the contemporary state of the world. In the end of the play, the 'Teerthankars' reject war and glorify the victory of life. Nitra has successfully handled the tragedy.
As a director Faiz Zahir is realistic in his approach. However his compositions to represent the war scenes were not enjoyable at all. At times, the scenes of fighting appeared like some circus-show, not a combat.
But as a set and light designer Faiz Zahir was successful. His set was designed according to the theme of the play. And lights coordinated with the performers effectively.
Ahsan Habib Nasim's music direction gave an extra effect to the play, which was quite charming.
The potentiality of all the performers except Nitra need to be improved.