Featuring 21 remarkable "Bibek" characters from 19 Jatra Palas -- from the character's introduction in Suroth Uddhar (1894) to contemporary Jatra Pala -- Department of Theatre and Film of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) arranged a show on May 29. Titled Jatra Pala-e Bibeker Gaan, the programme took place at the Experimental Theatre Stage. It was a research-based programme conducted by eminent Jatra Pala researcher-actor-writer Milon Kanti Dey.

As in typical Jatra Palas in the rural areas, the event began with a performance by an orchestra incorporating a number of western instruments including the silver flute, harmonium and clarinet. Milon Kanti Dey appeared on the stage as a narrator and delivered a bold performance maintaining the authenticity of characterisation in Jatra. The thespian analysed the role of "Bibek" in Jatra.

Throughout the evening seven professional Jatra artistes -- Balai Das, Chitta Ghosh, Shankar, Upen Das, Bachchu Khan, Mohammad Zahir and Gazi Shahid -- performed 21 songs of "Bibek" characters from popular Jatra Palas. To make way for the "Bibek", Jatra artistes performed the climax sequences on the stage.

The first song was jointly performed by Balai Das and Chitta Ghosh. Rendering Apon bujhey chol ei bela, the duo performed the role of the first "Bibek" character in Suroth Uddhar. Among others, "Bibek" characters from popular Jatra Palas including Rabon Badh, Anarkali, Rahim Badshah and Rupban Konya, Sohrab Rustam, Ekti Poisha and Ganga Theke Buriganga were featured at the programme.

A discussion presided over by Secretary of BSA, Ashraful Mosaddek, was held prior to the show. Shafi Kamal, director, Department of Theatre and Music, delivered the welcome speech. Humayun Khalid, joint secretary, Ministry of Education, also spoke at the programme.

Discussants focusing on the necessity of promoting the decaying performing art form, said that the Department of Theatre and Film will carry out programmes to preserve traditional Jatra Pala.