Theatre
'Boba Manusher Galpo': Story of oppressed peasants
Ershad Kamol
Sirajul Islam Siraj's play Boba Manusher Galpo is not the story of the mute, rather the tale of the peasants in rural Bangladesh who cannot protest against oppression. Siraj in his play has created a fantasy world where the poor peasants rebel against the landlords to defend their rights. However, like many such movements, their rebellion is ineffective. Interestingly Siraj in his play has also criticised the politicians, social workers and intellectuals for their ineffectiveness in bettering the lot of the peasants. Moreover, Boba Manusher Galpo asserts that the oppressed community should effectively change their fate. That is why Rahmat, the protagonist, encourages the oppressed peasants to rebel against Talukdar, the landlord. However, Siraj's craftsmanship and his directorial compositions need to be refined so that the audience can empathise with the strong theme. Most of the 'scene makings' are haphazardly done, as if the sole aim of the play is to deliver a message--at the expense of the aesthetic element. Set designer Zahid Hossain Jemi has used a scarecrow bearing the flag of Bangladesh on its chest at the middle of the stage to recreate the tragic story of oppressed peasants all over the country. The rest of the stage remains empty. Most of the actors need to develop their potential. Haidar Mohammad Titu as the rebellious Rahmat needs to be more convincing. As part of 'staging plays of the district level troupes in Dhaka', jointly arranged by Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation and Bengal Foundation, Sarathi a theatre troupe from Rangpur, staged Boba Manusher Galpo at Mahila Samity Stage. The play was staged on January 26.
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