The New Nation - Internet Edition

Entertainment Report

The premier show of play 'Bayanno Bazar Teppanno Goli,' second full-fledged production of theatre troupe Palakar, was held at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Sjilpakala Academy on Thursday.

The Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Corporation (HSBC) sponsored the play. It has taken other initiatives to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Dhaka city, including photo exhibition, seminars and commissioning a map of the city, which showcases the places of historical importance and highlights architectural attractions. The play was a part of the celebration. Aminur Rahman Mukul directed the play. Shahriar Khan, Sharmin Sharmi, Ferdousi Sharmi, Selim Haider, Ashiqur Rahman, Shumi Rosario and others played the central roles. Kamaluddin Kabir designed the set and Nasirul Haque Khokon was the light designer.

The play opens with the sound of 'Azaan' coming from all directions, as if to justify the title 'City of Mosques.' The play soon found a comic retreat to present the history and traditions of the city, using the 'Old Dhaka' scenario as its set.

The story centred on 'Shaesta', a history-maniac college teacher who treats everyone as his student. Especially, when it came to the history of Dhaka, it was impossible to stop him from lecturing. His daughters, Shabnam and Rizia, were beautiful girls with no lack of suitors. Suja and Murshid were in love with the sisters, but didn't dare to approach their father to ask for their hands in marriage.

Meanwhile, Shaista arranged a 'Swayambar Sabha' where a girl chooses her husband from a number of suitors, for his elder daughter. The condition was, the suitors will have to prove their knowledge on the history of Dhaka.

Suja, whose education was only up to school level, undertook this task as a challenge - the play moved on. The play managed to surprise the audience with its amusing presentation of some typical 'Dhakaiite' elements like the rickshaw, street vendors, talking parrots and more. However, some elderly viewers seemed a bit annoyed with the excessive use of parody in the play.