New local play to be staged in Bangladesh

Popular theater troupe Nagorik Natyangan will stage its new production titled ‘Gahar Badshah O Banesa Poree’ today at National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Segun Bagicha in the capital of Bangladesh.

The play ‘Gahar Badshah O Banesa Poree’ based on a folk story, is the 20th production of the troupe, and through the play, actress Hridi Haque made her debut as a director.

The story of the play revolves around the Bishingsha Badshah, who ventures into the forest named Gilamight for hunting. After scouting the entire forest for game and to no avail, the Badshah begins blaming his fate. At one point, he sees a deer by a nearby stream and shoots his arrow. After he hears the shattering cry of a human voice, to his horror he realizes that a grave mistake has been committed. At the loss of her son because of the Badshah’s arrow, the utterly devastated mother puts a curse on the Badshah.

After the tragic incident, the Badshah is blessed with two baby boys, who were named Gahar and Sanatan. Fearing that he has been cursed upon, the Badshah was scared of losing his sons. Hence he constructed a building, where sunlight even cannot reach.

When the time comes, the Badshah hands over his kingdom to his son Gahar. At the age of 12, influenced by Ujir (Minister), Gahar goes hunting in Gilamight forest, where besides animals, terrible giants and even fairies exist.

After going to the forest, Gahar is captured by an evil giant. With the help of his father’s friend, he narrowly escapes death. Then he falls in love with a fairy named Banesa Poree. After many valiant struggles and battles, Gahar then decides to return to his state with Banesa Poree. However, through all these incidents, many years have passed. When he does return to his kingdom, he finds out that it has been seized by Ujir.

However, good prevails over evil. Applying his merit, intellect and wits and as well as with the help of Banesa Poree and his first wife Kalabati, Gahar recovers his kingdom.

To make the play more interesting to the audience, it features all the characters of folk stories like Raja-Badshah (King), Ujir (Minister), Danob (Giant), Poree (Fairy), hunting scenes in the mystical forest, folk songs etc. The role of Gahar has been played by two youngsters named Asib Chowdhury and Jewel Johur, while director of the play Hridi Haque played the role of Banesa Poree.

Editor: John Li