As part of ongoing indigenous performing art festival arranged by the Department of Theatre and Film, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Islamuddin Palakar staged a Kissagaan titled Arbula Shundori.

Like his guru Abdul Kuddus Bayati, Islamuddin also begins his presentation with Bandanageeti (devotional ode to Allah and his Prophet). But, he adds the name of his guru at the end of his Bandanageeti. Later, like his guru he greets the audience and subsequently narrates the story.

Islamuddin, also like his guru, presents the narrative in the form of a dialogue with his dohar (choristers). The bayati plays the roles of different characters, at times assisted by the choristers who also enact some roles. Another similarity between the guru and disciple is the use of props like pillow, rope, doll and others while enacting some characters in different sequences of the story. And the dissimilarities that are evident in presentation are: Abdul Kuddus Bayati's voice modulation is much more resonant, while in Islamuddin's performance 'body movement' and gesture are more important.

The story of Arbula Shundori staged by Islamuddin Palakar on February 24 at the Experimental Theatre Stage is simple -- a triangular love story between a prince, a princess and the daughter of a gardener. Because of the treachery of Bilkis Malini, the daughter of a gardener, Princess Arbula's life comes to a tragic end.

Analysing the story line of the narrative, one may find many flaws. However, the three-hour performance of Islamuddin -- especially his ability to enact different characters by modifying gestures as well as smooth transition of the scenes-- moved the audience.