Victory Day celebrations around Dhaka

Abdur Rahman (R) and his troupe perform jarigaan (Top), a scene from Katha Ekattur. PHOTO: STAR

On the sixth day (December 15) of the celebration, eight children from different corners of the country -- Shamima Sultana Happy, Ayesha Siddiqa, M Al Abdullah, Nazma Aktari, Shantamoni, M Hasanuzzaman, M Sohel Rana, Najmun Nahar Mishu -- read out harrowing experiences of elderly people during the Liberation War. These stories were collected from different sources. This is a part of the 'Outreach Programme' of the museum.

Educationist Professor Anisuzzaman and Professor Shelley Feldman, Colombia University, USA, were the discussants of the day. As part of the cultural programme students of UCEP School DGS1 and Mirpur Girls' Ideal Laboratory Institute performed patriotic songs. Other attractions of the day were punthipath and jarigaan. Kabya Quamrul and Tareq Reza recited punthi, featuring the heroic deeds of the Freedom Fighters. Abdur Rahman and his troupe from Kishoreganj performed jarigaan, a genre of folk music.

December 16 morning saw the performances of child artistes. SWEDE Bangladesh, Khilgaon Girls' School and College, Peoples Little Theatre and Dhrupad Kala Kendra performed music, a drama and dance.

The final event of the weeklong programme was staging of a theatre performance titled Kotha Ekattur, a Dhaka Padatik production. Kumar Protish Baul's play Katha Ekattur departs from its ilk as it presents direct events of the Liberation War. The play features the freedom struggle from the vantage of "Operation Search Light", the master plan of Pakistani Army to annihilate the Bengalis on the eve of March 25 to the victory. Directed by Debashish Ghosh, Katha Ekattur ends optimistically by awakening the younger generation to the reality and spirit of the War.