Kuhakjaal – jaal in Bangla means a web, a web of “maya” which Tropa Majumdar describes as an addiction or attachment. The attachment to power, money, and superstitions that lead to murder, conflict and separation of lovers in the material world.
Written by Masum Reza and directed by Tropa Majumdar, the play Kuhokjaal was staged at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday. On the third day of Theatre Week 2015, the play attracted large audiences.
Kuhakjaal is a love story between Ghuron Sardar and Chandura, played by Maruf Kabir and Tanjum Ara Palli. Ghuron and Chandura were deeply in love before being separated after Chandura was forced into marriage with Mohajon, the head of the village. The powerful leader married Chandura for a son but she kept giving birth to daughters. Eventually, Chandura was sent back to her father’s place. Ghuron, on the other hand, started wandering around, nursing a broken heart. However, it was later found that his miseries grew manifold when he saw people being killed for power, cast and religion.
Wherever he would go, he would see a murder taking place. Soon, Ghuron started blaming himself for it all. He thought his eyesight was responsible for all the murders. Distressed, Ghuron damaged his own eyes with poison.
The ending scene of the play shows the lovers in merriment in a place called Shotto Bhubon, the world of truth where there is no clash and no power play. This place only exists in the afterlife.
Director Tropa Majumdar told the Dhaka Tribune: “The story is very simple but the script was complicated. So the challenge was to deliver the story in a simple manner. Also, the play has a heavy line up of actors. It was a challenge to manage them as well.”
The play has also cast Ramendu Majumdar, Ferdousi Majumdar and Kawsar Rajib among others.
