A scene from “Shiddhanto”. Photo Courtesy: Dept of Theatre, DU“Shiddhanto”, an adaptation of German playwright Bertolt Brecht's “The Measures Taken”, produced by Department of Theatre, University of Dhaka will participate in a festival arranged by National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, India. The play, translated by Shahman Moishan and directed by Professor Israfil Shaheen, will be staged at the 15th Bharat Ranga Mahotsab on January 10.
As pre-festival preparation, the department has arranged shows of the play -- over four days -- at the Natmandal auditorium on DU campus. The first show was held yesterday. Everyday, plays will be staged at 6:30 pm till January 4.
“The Measures Taken” is considered to be one of Brecht's most political plays; the core message is that the communist discipline must be accepted without question. Critics have frequently attacked the play.
The play portrays the ill fate of a young comrade who sacrifices (or forced to sacrifice) himself for the interest of communism.
At its initial phase, the play was designed like a traditional jatra pala. However, to take part in the NSD fest, the play has been re-designed in proscenium form.
The cast includes Imam Abdullah Hakim, Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, Sultana Yeasmin, Nasrin Islam, Nila Saha, Musammat Momotaz, Nadia Afrin and Mohammad Shaifuzzaman.
Ashiqur Raham Leeon designed the set, light, costume and props for the play.
