God among the Fallen Angels
Natyajon's latest production Shudu Ekaki onstage
By Tawfique Ali
THEATRE plays an important role in any society of the world in bringing about social
changes through reformation. It poignantly hints at social evils and incongruities
prevalent and practised in different forms with the objective to bring forth unjust
practices of all sorts and society's indifference towards injustice to humanity.
 Society ought to be adequately compassionate for the sake of its
equilibrium and integrity. A humanitarian approach helps the society to cure and eradicate
its evils. What theatre does is an vibrant exposure of what society should do and should
not more explicitly than any other genre of a culture. Theatre is a media that speaks
unequivocally to any of its audience offering an easy access to the issue in question.
Bangladeshi theatre has, of late, made a remarkable progression by good many productions
having high theatrical value and appeals, and have accordingly been acclaimed both at home
and abroad.
Dramatic reverberation is an acknowledged phenomenon
of Bangladeshi theatrical production. But we regret the fact that the country's theatre
has suffered various set backs so far; The foremost ones being absence of social and
governmental patronisation and financial constraint. At the same time it is a matters of
pride and pleasure that with the dedication of some enterprising theatre personalities,
country's theatre has progressed remarkably against all odds.
Shudu Ekaki, a production by Natyajon, is another
mark of brilliance in country's theatre. It was premiered on January 21 at the Guide House
Auditorium, Baily Road. The play has been written and directed by Aulok Bosu.
The forbidden world of sex workers and the invisible
force behind them who compel them to enter this murky world revealed by a university
research student, is the central plot of the play around which the story of Shudu Ekaki
evolves.
Ovranti, an Anthropology student conducts her thesis
on sex workers and gradually begins to feel the pulse of the lives lived in abysmal
darkness. Through her intimacy with the sex workers she discovers harrowing and
nightmarish tales of repression, exploitation and deception.
The dwellers of the forbidden area respond to her
queries and let her have a glimpse to the facts of their lives. Having learned about the
shame, the rejection, the dishonour and painful reality of their lives Ovranti is so moved
that her perception of our society changes altogether. She now considers the sex workers
as just another human being like us and begins to think herself as one of those brothel
dwellers. She desperately feels an urge to do something for the sake of their
rehabilitation and safety.
Eventually, one of the inmates of the brothel called
Soheli, is murdered and Ovranti rushes to the spot. She is arrested from the spot in
charge of supposed involvement with the murder. Though she is released from the police
station with the help of her teacher, she is vehemently condemned and rejected by her
family. She consequently loses her usual position in the society and above all in her
family. She becomes an alien. Only her compassionate father understands her and remains
beside her with fatherly support.
Meanwhile she undergoes a mental breakdown in the
face of police harassment in the name of investigation. This adds a different dimension to
the play. Here the playwright evidently calls the audience's attention to police brutality
in the legal garb. In this investigation episode a police officer's violent and aggressive
and unbecoming conduct with the respondent clearly shows gross violation of order and
etiquette by police.
Misconduct and unwanted interference in private
matters suggests that the police personnel in this country act as if they are licensed to
do whatever they please. The playwright has made a point by taking one of the burning
issues into consideration. This might help prevent illegal and unauthorized activities of
the law enforcers.
Subsequently Ovrante receives the severest blow when
the man, who is her confidant and friend, deceives her and declines to marry her. She
loses all her grounds and is left lone to fight against all odds and evils.
Eventually her ex-lover was arrested for committing
the murder at the brothel and is an agent of the underworld mechanism. Now Ovranti
discovers herself in a newer perspective and to have a different look at life.
Dramatic personae, among others, include Tabibul
Islam (Father), Sayeda Islam (Mother) and Munira
Usuf Memi (Ovranti).
City's theatre-goers may spend one evening with
Shudhu Ekaki to support Ovranti' their cause. |
