BEST THEATRICAL PRODUCTION OF 2013

Star Showbiz focuses on celebrities and stars of the screen. But, every now and then, Star Showbiz will also feature diverse performances, such as dance, dance dramas, theatrical works, musical albums, etc. especially when the performance is outstanding. 'Chaka', a theatrical production by the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies of Dhaka University, takes home the honour this year as Star Showbiz's choice for the best theatrical stage performance of 2013. Written by Selim Al Deen and directed by Sudip Chakroborty, 'Chaka' is a masterpiece that showcased brilliant performances from the final year students of Dhaka University.

'Batashey Lash-er Gondho Pai'
It seems as if the air is rife with the smell of corpses every day in Bangladesh now. Visionaries could always foresee how the unfortunate turn of events would result in the ongoing string of political turmoil in Bangladesh. There is substantial doubt about whether the government, the presidential candidates, the honourable policy makers and our society realize the consequence that such frightful situation projects in our country. Under these circumstances, with our backs against the wall, our hands and legs chained to the ground, we don't know where we stand. The casualties in the ongoing strikes and blockades are all commoners – there aren't any political leaders or rebels harmed. Neither the government nor the opposition leaders are offering the victims and their families a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on. It saddens me to admit that even we aren't coming forward to help them. But this is real and this is happening – like the darkest nightmare there ever was and there's no running away from it. Selim Al Deen's 'Chaka' is a depiction of such atrocities that us Bangladeshis are living through.
Why Chaka?
Twenty-two years ago, 'Chaka' was staged by the Dhaka Theatre, with direction from Syed Jamil Ahmed, leaving a profound impact on its audience. Before that, he also organized the play, English vesion of 'Chaka', in New York, jointly with Denny Patridge (Antioch College, USA). Naila Azad Nupur was the costume designer. Later, a short film titled 'Chaka' was directed by Morshedul Islam and it was screened at several film festivals around the globe, winning a handful of international awards. This year, Sudip Chakroborty, with cast and crew from the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies of Dhaka University reproduced the play at their Natmondol. 'Chaka' conveys a very unique message that addresses the masses. The story revolves around an unclaimed dead body of an anonymous person that no one wants to bury. It resembles the current circumstances of Bangladesh and the world; the atrocities and the killing of hundreds of people that go unnoticed when there's nobody to claim responsibility. There is no nation, society or humanitarian organisation that comes forward to take measures against these actions. Commoners are deprived of their basic rights to go about their lives safely. This labyrinth of life and death has been depicted in the contemporaneous 'Chaka'. Sudip Chakroborty has effectively used the time and space and the performers from the graduating batch of Dhaka University did an outstanding job. Brilliant acting, using the creative technologies in stage productions, outdid the audience's expectations.
Theatre and Bangladesh's Current State of Affairs
The performers of 'Chaka', Sushanta Kumare Sarkare, Nusrat Sarmin, Khan Md. Rafiqul Islam, Syeda Ifat Ara, Md. Mahedi Tanjir, Mahjabin Islam and Laboni Akter all shone with radiance on stage and I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours and hope that their brilliance, competitiveness and combativeness will get them far in this field.
There was a time when drama and theatre artists were part of a movement. A time when their voices could demand for the authorities to open dramatics departments in universities with the jargon “Art and drama is the arsenal for changing the society”. One such movement steered by Selim Al Deen resulted in the opening of Jahangirnagar University's Department of Drama and Dramatics. Later, in the course of time, departments of dramatics and theatres were established in Chittagong University, Dhaka University and in other institutions. However, for various reasons such as financial incentives and career stability, each year the graduating students of these departments wind up in banks, schools and other organisations where their creative sides are not employed – wasting their talent and expertise. Although it's difficult to get into a theatrical group and get casted, there is indeed room for growth here. But one has to create that room, be innovative and bring the audience back. These graduates must continue studying theatre and performance art; develop key specializations to open up a lot of doors for creative opportunities, and be lauded internationally.

JAMIL AHMED ADMIRES SUDIP'S WORK ON CHAKA
It was in 1991 that Jamil Ahmed directed Selim Al Deen's 'Chaka'. Now, one of Jamil Ahmed's ardent students, Sudip Chakroborthy remade the renowned play after twenty two years. Call it a blessing in disguise, Sudip never watched the critically acclaimed 'Chaka' done by Jamil Ahmed; he was unbiased on what he recreated. He rediscovered the play in his own way. “Whenever a remake is done, it is always somehow influenced by the original”, admits Sudip. Jamil Ahmed watched Sudip's work and admired the play-design and scenography. We showed the run-through to Jamil Ahmed. The symbolic circular scenography was much appreciated by the master. He also admired the progressive style of storytelling, keeping accordance to the theme of play. “Jamil sir added some thoughts on characterisation using western theories. I incorporated those thoughts to strengthen our characterisation. Later, when it was played in front of the live audience, he pointed out the stark differences”.
MEET SUDIP CHAKROBORTHY
Born in 10th August, Sudip Chakroborthy completed his high school and college in Habiganj. Later, he completed his Graduation from Dhaka University from the Department of Theatre. His felt inclined towards performance arts and the theatre since he was in college. His family has always supported his theatre work; specially his mother – who watches his plays whenever she gets the opportunity. His first direction was 'Titumir Aashey', as coursework for the university. One of his first acting experiences was in a play called 'The Dumb Waiter' by Harold Pinter; this was before Harold became a Nobel Laureate. Another of his acclaimed works is 'Three Sisters' by Anton Chekhov and 'Behular Bhashan' directed by Dr. Syed Jamil Ahmed. After completing his graduation in 2006, he joined Dhaka University's Theatre Department as a part-time lecturer and continued directing plays in numerous places; by then direction had become his fulltime profession. Another one of his favourite directorial works include: 'Mohajoner Nao' written by Shakoor Majid.
His current project is to direct a play in 2015 in the UK, and the work is already underway. It is a three-year long project based on 'The Taming of the Shrew' by William Shakespeare. Interestingly, it will be performed by both the British born Bangladeshis and the diaspora in Sylheti-Bangla dialect.

Interviewed by Zia Nazmul Islam