The Department of Theatre at Jagannath University staged a play titled "Jujuburi", a narrative adapted from Badruzzaman Alamgir's story "Aber Pankha Loiya", as part of the postgraduate production for the 2021–22 academic session. Held at the department's studio theatre today at 12:00pm, the performance was directed by Theatre Department's Professor Kamal Uddin Kabir.

Written by Badruzzaman Alamgir, "Jujuburi" (named after a fictional character from Bengali folklore who abducts children) delves into the themes of superstition, fear, and the moral decay embedded in rural Bengali life. It intricately captures the anxieties and internal struggles of a small village community while centering on familial conflicts that are woven deep into the fabric of local beliefs, reports our Jagannath University correspondent.

The narrative revolves around Dhalai, a resident of Bangoria village, whose daughter, Julkan, begins to lose her sight. When Rajali, a young villager, proposes to marry Julkan, Dhalai faces a harrowing psychological dilemma. In his desperation, Dhalai resolves to end their lives by stepping in front of a train. At the last moment, however, he falters, abandoning his daughter to die alone. This decision haunts him, and driven by remorse and guilt, Dhalai descends into madness, ultimately transforming into an owl. In a tragic twist, Dhalai's son, Taizal, consumed by greed for a pot of gold, kills his father in his owl form.

The production featured 15 students from the 13th batch of the university's Department of Theatre, providing them with an immersive opportunity to showcase their talent. The actors displayed not just their dramatic skills but also their creativity in embracing a form of theatre grounded in Bengali cultural traditions.

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Reflecting on the performance, Professor Kamal Uddin Kabir, who directed the play, remarked, "'Jujuburi' is a distinct representation of a theatrical style rooted in the folklore and cultural history of Bengal. This production was an educational experience, allowing students to engage in every facet of theatre—from conceptualising the script to the final stage performance."