The online launching ceremony for a book “Ajob Deshe Alice,” Abdus Selim's Bangla translation of classic drama adaptation of Alice in Wonderland by Jason Pizzarello, was held on the official facebook page of University Press Limited (UPL) on Saturday night.
The book, published by UPL and Prokriti-Porichoy, is based on the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll , a mixture of fairy tale and literature.
The drama “Alice in Wonderland”, produced by Jason Pizzarello, was based on two fictional versions – Alice in Wonderland in 1865 and Through the Looking-Glass in 1871 .
The story is about little girl Alice who tumbles down a mysterious rabbit hole, and finds herself in a strange land where everyone is raving mad. With the help of a Cat, a Caterpillar, and a Humpty Dumpty, Alice must find her way home and discover who she really is.
UPL also organized a live online discussion with the book’s publishers, translator Abdus Selim, illustrator Sabyasachi hazra, media personality Afzal Hossain, and actress Bonna Mirza.
Dhaka University student Tabassum Maisha Mona gave a book review at the beginning of the program.
Abdus Selim, who has till now translated some 30 books into Bangla from different languages, said the main theme of the play has been expressed through a combination of main events, dialogues, characters and words.
Co-publishers Firoz Ahmed said that this story from 150 years ago still remains a wonderful book for children. He also added that as children love the theatrical form, Sabyasachi’s great illustrations make the book even more interesting.
Media personality Afzal Hossain said that it would be a great performance if children staged a play based on the story.
Sabyasachi Hazra, illustrator of the book, said the original cover and illustrations were so beautiful that he could not find a place to change them.
University Press Limited Managing Director Mahrukh Mohiuddin moderated the event.
