The trend setters

Khaled Khan and co-artiste in Darpan, directed by Aly Zaker

After liberation, Nagorik Natyasampradaya introduced two things in the Bangladeshi Theatre--ticketing system and inauguration of the Mahila Shomity Stage for displaying of dramas. The sale of tickets first began at the Mahila Shomity Stage in 1973 with Badal Sarkar's Baki Itihash directed by Aly Zaker. Earlier the theatrical groups in Bangladesh displayed their productions on other stages like the British Council Auditorium or the WAPDA Stage and without selling tickets. Nagorik Natyasampradaya also introduced the slogan, 'Buy tickets and enjoy drama'.

Zia Haider, who had studied theatre in the USA, along with some ardent admirers of drama established the group with an objective 'to stage good plays through quality productions'. He was the founding chairman while Ataur Rahman was the first general secretary of the group.

Their first production, directed by Zia Haider, was 0edipus of Sophocles aired on TV in September '69. The performers of that show were Ataur Rahman, Golam Rabbani, Dr. Inamul Haq, Abul Hayat, Fazle Sadeq, Sirajul Islam, Mahmudul Kabir Titu, Sultana Kamal Lulu, Nasima Khan Mojlish and others. Their first ever staged play was Michael Madhusudan Datt's Buro Shaliker Ghare Ro at the WAPDA Auditorium in '72.

In the last 35 years, the group has produced many renowned cultural activists like--Aly Zaker, the current president, Ataur Rahman, the current general secretary, Abul Hayat, Asaduzzaman Noor, Khaled Khan, Sara Zaker, Nima Rahman, Bipasha Hayat, Afsana Mimi and others.

Nagorik Natyasampradaya believes that a quality play has the power to overcome all types of cultural, political and language barriers. That is why they do not want to remain in a single frame. They always go for diversity in their productions. Their productions include classical plays, those of contemporary dramatists from both home and the European countries. Nagorik Natyasampradaya has no particular member-playwright, like many other groups in Bangladesh. But the group has a good number of talented directors like Ataur Rahman, Aly Zaker, Abul Hayat, Asaduzzaman Noor and Khaled Khan. They have the best light designer in the country--Nasirul Haque Khokon. However, They do not have any proficient set designer. Sometimes, they invite guest set-designers to work with the group.

So far, Nagorik has produced 36 stage plays. Of them some popular pieces are Nuruldiner Shara Jibon, Dewan Gazir Kissa, Galileo, Khatta Tamasha, Kalshondhya and Raktokarobi.

Baki Itihash by Badal Saker is the story of a middle class intellectual who goes through internal as well as external conflicts because of the difference between his dreams and the reality. Directed by Aly Zaker, the play was first staged on February 3, 1972. So far it has been staged 34 times.

Dewan Gazir Kissa, adapted from Bertolt Brecht's Herr Puntila and Sein Knetch Matti has been staged 371 times--a record in the country's theatrical history. Asaduzzaman Noor adapted as well as directed the play. The play depicts class struggle and some negative aspects of the society.

Syed Shamsul Haq is the playwright of Nuruldiner Sharajibon--an epic of our historical legends. Through his rhythmic dialogues, the playwright has analysed the socio-economical structure of Bangladesh. Aly Zaker has directed the play.

Brecht's play Galileo, translated by Abdus Selim, is based on the sufferings of historical character Galileo. It has also portrayed the story of the oppressed people's fight against the influence of the Church during the Medieval Ages. Ataur Rahman has directed the play.

Buddhadev Basu has adapted the play Kalshondhya from a story of Hindu mythological epic Mahabharata. Through some legendary characters from myth, the playwright has tried to establish a universal fact--'A hero dies once but the cowards die many times.' Khaled Khan has directed the play.

Director of Tagore's play Raktokarobi, Ataur Rahman considers it as one of the best works in his theatrical career. The popular play has got some philosophical touches, which are very important to analyse human traits.

Besides, Nagorik Natyasampradaya has displayed two patha-nataks (street plays) and a workshop-based production.

Regarding the future plan of the group, Ataur Rahman, the General Secretary of the group says, 'Very soon we will be staging the 50th show of Raktokarobi. We will also stage our old production Kopeniker Captain. Moreover, I am going to work with two new plays--Troilus and Cressida of Shakespeare and a compiled production of three short plays of Tagore--Karnokunti Shongbad, Gandharir Abedon and Biday Abhishap.'