‘Padma Nadir Majhi’ on Dhaka stage

The Department of Theatre and Media Studies of Tejgaon College has brought a new production to Dhaka stage based on Manik Bandopadhyay’s timeless novel ‘Padma Nadir Majhi’. Performances of the play will be held at 7:00pm on August 28 and 29.

Earlier on Thursday the play was also staged.

‘Padma Nadir Majhi’ is not merely the story of a group of fishermen living along the River Padma.

Through their lives, the novel portrays the poverty of working-class people, class exploitation, love, the conflict between humans and nature, and the desire for liberation.

Rather than presenting the fishermen’s lives simply as a tragic picture of poverty, the production attempts to portray them through their labour, economic uncertainty, social relationships, and existential struggles.

The stage design and direction of the production have been undertaken by Syed Muhammad Zubayer, Assistant Professor of the department and a PhD researcher.

The initial stage adaptation was written by Md Rezwan, while Dr Zaharabi Ripon has worked as the dramaturg. The manuscript was edited by Minhaz Uddin Nakib.

Director Zubayer said, “In this production, we did not want to view people within any simplistic moral framework. Just as their poverty is real, so are their love, desires, weaknesses, and dreams.

The desire for liberation emerges through the dream of Moynadwip, while questions have also been raised about the possibilities and limitations of that liberation.”

Raishul Islam Roman, Nusrat Lamia, Atikul Islam, Md Rezwan, Tasnim Haider Lubna, Nusrat Jahan Sadia, and Minhaj Uddin Nakib, among others, have performed in various roles in the play.

Atikul Islam is responsible for the lighting design and acting training. Mashrafi Sajib is in charge of stage management, with Antor Munshi serving as assistant stage manager.

Dr Lata Samadder is responsible for costume design and makeup, while Sharmin Sultana Nipa has handled the music design.