IUB Theatre staged a Bangla adaptation of Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain’s famous short story Sultana’s Dream at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) on November 19, 2025.
The play, titled Sultanar Swopno, was performed at the IUB Auditorium as the group’s 24th production. The adaptation and direction were by Shopnil Sohel.
Sultana's Dream was first published in The Indian Ladies’ Magazine in Madras (now Chennai), India, in 1905. The story imagines “Ladyland,” a utopian society built on gender equality.
Kiron Sarker Jui, who portrayed Begum Rokeya in the play, said, “We spent months working together on acting, stage, lighting, sound, costumes, everything. Through the process, we realised how urgent Begum Rokeya’s imagined world still is today. For young people like us, this story is more than just a play; it is a chance to rethink equality in a new light.”
Momtaz Parvin Mumu, Coordinator of IUB Theatre and Lecturer in the Department of Media and Communication, said adapting a short story for the stage required converting descriptive passages into scenes and dialogue. She said time constraints led to some condensation of characters and events, and the dreamlike setting demanded careful coordination of lighting, set and sound.
Vice Chancellor Prof M Tamim said the questions Begum Rokeya raised about education, women’s empowerment and social structures remain relevant. He praised the cast and crew for presenting the work to contemporary audiences.
IUB Board of Trustees Chairman Didar A Husain and Treasurer Khandker Md Iftekhar Haider, along with faculty members, officials, students, local residents from Bashundhara and parents of students from several schools, attended the performance.
The other members of the caste include Sadia Afrin Aorna, Sumaia Akter Ema, Farzana Akter, Sunita Saha, Sunjuda Mahabub Kabbo, Joy Saha, Rishad Hasan Promit, Tahmid Tamzid Azan Sikder, Rifat Hasan, Hasibur Rahman Hasib, Ahmed Yashfin Sami, Nur-A Muktadir Azmir, Afrina Rahman, Hasibur Rahman Hasib, Nuzhat Tabassum, Md. Kafinur Aziz Barno, Rakebul Hasan Rana, Nur-A Muktadir Azmir, Rishad Hasan Promit, Mehedi Hasan Akash, Md Tauhidul Islam Ankur, Sowhardra Paull, Maisha Rahman, Tabassum, Eva, Nusrat, Sadia, SM Sakil Amin, Md Samiul Islam, and Nusrat Jannat Mim.
The crew includes Md Tauhidul Islam Ankur (assistant director); Rishad Hasan Promit (production executive); Sowhardra Paull (light), Md. Ajmal Mahir (assistant production executive and props); Nuzhat Tabassum (poster, mask, costume); Shubhashish Dutta Tonmoy (makeup); Arnob, SM Shakil Amin, and Mehedi Hasan Akash (Music); Tahmid Tamzid Azan Sikder (set); and Sadia Afrin Aorna (choreography).
