A cultural organisation named Mahua Shilpi Ghosthi, spearheaded by Mrinal Datta, is playing a significant role in staging the palas at different places in and outside the district.

The chief artiste (palaker) of the organisation, Mrinal is an enlisted drama artiste and scriptwriter of Bangladesh Betar. He asserted that the organisation performs the palas on various occasions including celebration of Pahela Baishakh. The palas, staged several times at local venues have won appreciation from the audience.

Mrinal told The Daily Star that they have recently staged Mahua Shundari and Malua Shundari, palas based on love stories at two different locations in Dhaka -- TSC of Dhaka University and Rabindra Sarobar. Performances of the artistes in both the palas were highly acclaimed by the audience. Eminent singers of the country Khurshid Alam, Syed Abdul Hadi, Fahmida Nabi and others complimented the artistes for their return to the roots.

"The significance of palas is that they depict the lives of common people through allegories," said Mrinal. He also pointed out that they perform palas on different social occasions including marriage ceremonies. " In old Dhaka such palas also have also a special attraction, especially in marriage programmes," said Mrinal.

Regular artistes of the organisation are Shampa, Mukta, Chaiti, and Shohani, who sing as dohar (chorus) with palaker Mrinal while Shaheen plays the flute, Tamal the harmonium and Sumon performs on drums.

A hurdle, Mrinal said, is the onslaught of the satellite dish culture at the expense of the country's heritage. He called on decision makers to restore the traditional Bangladeshi culture, which goes centuries. Some non-government organisations (NGOs) help stage the palas, added Mrinal.

"Mymensingh Geetika is based on the lives and times of the haor (wet land) inhabitants of Mymensingh region which differed dramatically from the rest of the country because it could not be brought under direct control by any ruler," said Mohammed Anis-uz-Zaman, a cultural enthusiast.