Theatre Factory to honour Jibanananda Das’ life story on stage
Theatre Factory is set to debut its latest production, "Komola Rong er Bodh", a theatrical homage to the life and works of renowned Bengali poet Jibanananda Das. The play, written and directed by Alok Basu, will premiere on May 9 at the Mohila Samity stage in Dhaka, with additional performances scheduled for May 10 and 11.
The narrative begins on October 14, 1954, the day Das was struck by a tram, leading to his death nine days later. The play delves into the poet's introspections during his final days, exploring his dreams, philosophies, and the realities he faced. Drawing from Das's "Literary Notes", the production aims to connect the poet's era with contemporary perspectives, offering audiences a nuanced portrayal of his inner world.
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Director Alok Basu emphasises the significance of this production, noting that while Jibanananda Das is internationally recognised, he remains underrepresented in theatrical works within Bangladesh. "Through this play, we aim to illuminate the lesser-known aspects of his life and bring his legacy closer to today's youth," Basu stated.
When asked why he chose Jibanananda Das as the focus of the play, Alok Basu explained, "After Tagore, Jibanananda Das stands as one of the greatest poets in Bengali literature. His works resonate with life and human struggles. Today's youth are curious about him. There is a place of pain in his writing that reflects human psychology. Three young people in the play seek to understand him, and through their journey, they cross paths with Jibanananda in his imaginative world. His struggles, failures, and posthumous success will unfold through this encounter."
He continued, "While Jibanananda achieved success only after his demise, many live their entire lives grappling with failure, and this aspect will be explored in the play."
He further lamented the fact that Jibanananda Das has rarely been depicted in theatrical productions, saying, "It's a shame that no one has really brought Jibanananda's life story to the stage. That's why I'm taking up the challenge. He lived a simple life, but it's difficult to capture him on stage. We've tried to highlight those overlooked aspects, presenting him in a new light."
The cast features Dipu Mahmud, Arif Anwar, and K M Hasan portraying Jibanananda Das, alongside Asha Akter, Bipasha Saif, Munmun Khan, Subhash Sarkar, Akleema Akter, Diganta, Hasibul Haque, Mrinmoy Chowdhury, Nowrin Papri, Rabiul Islam Rajib, Shaira, Surjo, and Pritom in supporting roles.
The production team includes Tandu Raihan (lighting design), Mohsina Akter (costume design), Ramiz Raju (music), Shakil Siddharth (set design), and Aminul Ashraf (choreography).
A technical show is planned for April 27, serving as a preparatory run before the official premiere. Notably, the production is dedicated to the memory of the late theatre personality Aly Zaker, honouring his contributions to Bangladeshi theatre.
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