Troupe Theatre’s latest production “Kuhokjal” knits a sad tale involving murder, abduction and betrayal. It addresses the anarchies in society, the prevailing gender disparities and the religious frictions.
Premiered on August 16 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the play sees actor and theatre activist Ramendu Majumder in the role of a priest who wants to destroy a locality in order to built a church on the property.
The central character of the play is a young Muslim man named Ghuron Shordar who is in love with Chandura, a married woman. He becomes a drifter and one day shares his melancholic story with his friend Tamokh. A Hindu and a worshipper of “Ma Kali” (a deity), he assures Ghuron that the goddess will make things right. Tamokh is murdered brutally in a conspiracy where his father-in-law gets him killed by informing the Hindu community about his acceptance of Islam as his religion. The murder is witnessed by Ghuron who then sees a side of human nature that is barbarous and unkind.
Traumatised by the experience he goes to Chandura and learns that she is being disowned by her father-in-law, Amad Majon, a political leader, as she is about to give birth to a baby girl. With hope rekindled, his dreams get shattered once again when Amad realises that he could use Chandura to win the upcoming election and calls her back.
After winning the election, Chandura is once again sent back to her father’s place. But alas, she gives birth to a baby boy and accepts Ghuron’s proposal. When Amad learns that Chandura has given birth to a male heir, he goes to bring her back. Ghuron’s friend Rudro tries to stop him from forcing Chandura and in a fit of rage, Amad takes his life.
Ghuron suppresses his feelings and takes off once again in search of solidarity. He meets a vibrant Somani who is dance teacher to the indigenous people of the region and is an activist supporting the ignored minorities from being exploited by Father Thomas (Ramendu Majumdar). One day, Somali disappears into thin air.
Directed by Tropa Majumder, the lighting and costumes were befitting for highlighting the serious nature of the play and was appreciated by the audience present. The segments which addressed religions were expressed using symbols and signs.
Members of Theatre including Ferdausi Majumdar, Shekanul Islam Shahi, Tamanna Islam, Tanvir Ahmed, Paresh Acharjee, Nazmunnahar, Kalyan Chowdhury, Kaosar Rajib and Rashed Shaon have acted in the play.
