“Bibishab” features agonies of a woman who lost her
husband and sons in the war. Photo: Jamil Mahmud

The weeklong theatre festival by Nagarik Natyangan Ensemble ended on January 2 with the staging of Abdullah Al Mamun play “Bibishab”. The play, directed by Jamaluddin Hossain, was staged at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The festival was dedicated to the late music exponent and former president of the troupe Kalim Sharafi. Apart from two plays by the organising troupe, the festival also featured plays staged by other local troupes -- Nagarik Natyangan, Theatre (Bailey Road) and two plays by Indian troupe Bahurupi.
Set in a contemporary surrounding, “Bibishab” is a story about an elderly woman who lost her husband and two sons during the Liberation War. The plot is set in Old Dhaka where Bibishab runs a rickshaw garage. Her apparently arrogant attitude cannot hide the inner cry that she has held for many years.
Rawshan Ara Hossain played the protagonist while the cast also included Shahidul Haque, Raizul Islam, Golam Sarwar and Mohammad Shahjahan.
It was the 100th show of the play.
ITI Worldwide President Ramendu Majumdar, veteran theatre personalities Nasiruddin Yousuff and Mamunur Rashid, Secretary General of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Jhuna Chowdhury and chief of Nagorik Natyangan Ensemble Jamaluddin Hossain spoke at the closing ceremony.
An exhibition of Karim Sharafi photographs was on display at the lobby of the National Theatre Hall during the festival.