GROUP P LC

Tower Hamlets Council Presents A Season of Bangla Drama Performances, exhibitions, talks and seminars 2 - 24 November 2013 l i Info: 020 7364 7900 m a J n a h www.towerhamlets.gov.uk e R : t i d e r c o t

o Enter a moral maze of harrowing truths and whimsical fantasies! h P Message from the Mayor of Tower Hamlets

Once again A Season of Bangla Drama comes to Whitechapel. I am delighted that this vibrant festival of drama continues into its 11th year with a great range of discussions and performances that challenge, stimulate and entertain our audiences.

Literary classics from the UK and are overhauled and new works introduced covering a wide range of themes.

All the events are a celebration of local talent and a great way to disseminate to new audiences as well as bringing old favourites to an established crowd. This insightful theatre programme continues to be relevant to residents of Tower Hamlets today with refreshing and exciting drama.

Lutfur Rahman Mayor of Tower Hamlets

Message from the High Commissioner of Bangladesh

Bangladesh High Commission is pleased to support A Season of Bangla Drama 2013, and to have facilitated participation from Bangladesh. The power of the cultural heritage of a nations or communities in their branding and showcasing, particularly overseas and in a multicultural milieu, needs no reiteration.

We see the enduring relevance of the Festival in that light and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this project in coming years.

Mohamed Mijarul Quayes High Commissioner of Bangladesh

Message from Head of Community Affairs, Canary Wharf Group Plc Canary Wharf Group Plc are delighted to be associated with A Season of Bangla Drama 2013. It creates a platform for local emerging writers, directors and performers from the community to showcase their talent.

The 2012 event had a great selection of drama, music and seminars that incorporated a range of topical themes and we hope the 2013 season continues to inspire audiences through its many performances by once again exploring the Bengali culture and heritage.

Congratulations to all the writers, directors and performers for sharing their wonderful thoughts and aspiration with us, and good luck with all your future endeavours.

Zakir Khan Head of Community Affairs Saturday 2 November

Docklands Theatre & Performing Arts presents Oprakritik Prakriti (The Consequence) Written and directed by Dr Mukid Choudhury

Oprakritik Prakriti (The Consequence) is a tragic psychological portrait of a woman who is desperate for a child but unable to have one. Her desire is transformed into both frustration and hatred. The play explores themes of passion and isolation, along with undercurrents of jealousy and friendship, all within the context of narrow social conventions.

Smrity, the tragic heroine, is led to believe Cast and production team that her infertility may be due more to her Bengali Movement Theatre: Priyoty Sheikh, husband than herself; she regards her unfeeling Protthoy Sheikh, Smrity Azad, Sadia spouse from a different and increasingly Rahman, Tamim Rahman, S. M. Shafiquel angry perspective. There seems to be no love Islam, Md Shoriful Islam, Alok Nandi, within this marriage yet she remains true to Samsul Islam Rubel, Adam Heslop, Zara her husband out of strong sense of honour Heslop, Alex Heslop , Farzana Akter, Ajanta and as the play unfolds, we witness the Deb Roy, Muktadir Kayes, Naimul Hoque, dynamics of power and struggle. Smrity feels Jewel Raj, Naiven Dhali, M.A.R Murad, powerless with no baby, friends or career Manab Sarker, Shamima Begum Mita, and has to learn how to stand up for what Mridul Ahmed, Syeda Tasmia Tahia, Syeda she wants! Tasnia Tahsin, Nazma Jhuma, Shohel Rana, Jyotsna Islam, Raju Ali Kawsar, Shmon Khan, Habiba Pramiti, Sharmin Shahjahan Music & vocal: Gouri Bhattacharya, Arun Mukherji, Arfuman Choudhury, Shumon Sharif, Enshad Hossain Sadee, Shamsul Arefin Producer and light design: Mithu Azad Sound: Sadeq Ahmad Sadi Set design: Shahab Uddin Ahmed Costumes: East End Logistics Stage manager: Maher Ahmed Stage support: Mitun Chandra Das Front of the house: Alex Heslop

A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 3 Thursday 7 November Arts Two Queen Mary University of London

Seminar on Tagore’s dance Saturday 9 (5pm) Nov dramas and the female Pinter Studio protagonists of Queen Mary University Shyama, Chitrangada of London and Chondalika By Mohamed Mijarul Quayes The Long Table Mohamed Mijarul Quayes is passionate about the genius of and will examine Tagore’s dance dramas, The Long Table format for creative debate is with a special focus on the protagonists of a hybrid between a dinner party conversation, three - Shyama, Chitrangada and Chondalika, a seminar and a performance, combining all female. Quayes will explore how each openness with a unique mediating structure character represents, beyond gender, the provided by the table itself. human context, and remains relevant to contemporary audiences. First developed by Professor Lois Weaver of Queen Mary, University of London, the Mijarul Quayes likes to go by his intellectual Long Table is now used internationally as hat of un homme des lettres. He teaches an alternative to more formal modes of aesthetics and the history of art at the National discussion. Academy of Fine Arts in , and writes on the arts and aesthetics, drama, film etc. At this year’s Festival we will spend the set 90 minutes of the Long Table exploring the In his everyday professional life, Mijarul question: “What is Bangla Performance?” Quayes is the High Commissioner of in a way that we hope is entertaining, Bangladesh in London. A career diplomat, he ground-breaking and also as involving and has previously served as Bangladesh’s Foreign inclusive as we intend the Festival as a Secretary (2009-2012). whole to be. Friday 8 & Saturday 9 November, Rich Mix

The Rokeya Project presents Qatif Written by Showmi Das and The Rokeya Project Collective of True Stories

Qatif is a tragic and true story set in modern day The Rokeya Project is named after Rokeya Saudi Arabia. It made global headlines in 2006, Sakhawat Hossain who was a revolutionary and this theatrical retelling is brought to you by figure in Bengali history, and fought throughout The Rokeya Project. her life to give Muslim women a voice almost 100 years ago. In 2006 a young girl was not only gang raped but later sentenced to 6 months in prison and 200 Each production they stage focuses around lashes for merely being in the presence of an the key messages she espoused, namely that unrelated member of the opposite sex. Although violence against women must never be this injustice caught the attention of the world accepted, never excused and never tolerated. media, this Qatif girl is still not free. Every girl and woman has the right to be respected, valued and protected fearlessly. Using a multicultural cast, the compelling tale Qatif (Fearless), is brought to life by utilising a Their aim is to raise awareness of such abuses dynamic mixture of Movement, Theatre and various in a bid to generate outrage and eradicate disciplines of Dance, mainly Contemporary twists such actions. on South Asian dance forms. It goes on to tell the true story of the horrific and recent gang rape case www.rokeya.co.uk in Delhi, where the victim did not survive.

A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 5 Saturday 9 November

Theatre (Bangladesh) presents Mukti Adapted & written by Mohamed Mijarul Quayes The iconic Ferdausi Majumdar portrays the pathologically self-absorbed mother. She is a Mukti is an adaptation by Mohamed MIjarul complex character torn between duties and Quayes of American playwright Lee Blessing’s feelings who wreaks havoc on her daughters’ Independence play for Theatre, one of the emotional lives, behind the guise of an leading troupes of Bangladesh by. affectionate and devoted parent. The production is directed by the young and alented Tropa Majumdar. Quayes has rewritten Cast and production team: the play to provide a Bengali social context Actors: Ferdausi Majumdar, Tamanna Islam, whilst maintaining the original storyline which Tanjum Ara Polly, Tanven Sweety revolves around mother/ daughter relationships. Direction: Tropa Majumdar Set design: Mansur Ahmed The story begins with the homecoming of Set management: Khurshid Alam Rojoni, the career-driven eldest of three Light design: Nasirul Haque Khokon daughters, at the request of her younger sister Light operation: Shekanul Islam Shahi Damini. Portrayed as lovable and caring, Music: Jaglul Alam Damini is her mother’s caregiver but tension Background voice: Zakir Hossain, Shimul Khan builds up as it becomes apparent that she is Sound Operation: Abdullah al Mamun Jewel pregnant and her boyfriend, Shimanto, refuses Costume Design: Ferdausi Majumdar to marry her. Props Management: Tanvir Ahmed Production Advisors: Abdullah al-Mamun, Shohini, the third daughter, is an outspoken and Ramendu Majumdar rebellious teenager, whose attitude adds to the charged atmosphere immediately following Suppported by the Bangladesh High Rojoni’s return. Commission in the UK. Sat 9 (7pm) & Sun 10 November (3:30pm), QMUL

Tamarind Theatre Company presents Being Ernest Written by Aiyaz Ahmed

This novel interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s narrative is a comedy of manners based on the seriousness of society. What happens when two wealthy playboys, one in the city, one in the country, each pretends to be named Ernest in order to behave recklessly without damaging his reputation?

Algernon lives in luxury in London and has invented an imaginary invalid friend whom he visits in the country whenever an unappealing social engagement presents itself. Jack has also invented a character - a wayward younger brother called Ernest whom he uses as pretext for going to London and enjoying himself. This is a witty and light-hearted tale of how blackmail and cunning are deployed in order for the main characters to marry, and avoid financial ruin, altering their fates through the subterfuge of a double life.

Truths come out in the end and an Asian wedding provides the perfects setting for the precarious web of lies to begin unfolding. What ultimately come to the fore are the complex matters of the heart…And how to answer the question, ’Who is Ernest now?’

Cast and production team: Actors: Aiyaz Ahmed, Jatin Metha, Niahla Rutherford Director: Rez Kabir Part of A Season of Bangla Drama amarind Set design and production: Ranjit Sehmbi-Ahmed heatre Company presents Stage Production: Saab Sehmbi Being Ernest Tamarind Theatre Company was established in ! November 2006 with a group of artists/actors wanting to promote the cultures and diverse stories from the Indian Sub-Continent using an interactive approach to their performance and engagement with the audience. Identifying quite early on that these stories also needed to resonate with the UK audiences, this manifested in the performances and workshops that were influenced A comedy of manners on the seriousness of society by contemporary UK life of the British Asian ! At Arts One, Pinter Studio Diaspora and traditions from the Indian Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS sub-continent. Sat 9th Nov, 2013 @ 7pm & Sun 10th Nov, 2013 @ 4pm Tickets: £8.00 / £5.00 (Concessions) Box office: www.wegottickets.com/aseasonofbangladrama

A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 7 Sunday 10 November, The Octagon, QMUL

Dakshinyan UK presents Tasher Desh – Land of Cards Written by Rabindranath Tagore

Tasher Desh is one of Tagore’s most famous dance operas, a unique genre he developed that was influenced by Western opera. He wrote the script and composed the music for this piece which was first performed in in 1923. It is inspired by Alice in Wonderland and is a satire on the rigidity of the class systems of the British Raj and .

The main protagonist is a Prince, thirsting for adventure and mystery. He is flung into a land of childlike imagination. Here the metaphor of the cards encapsulates the sterility of caste, class and regulation juxtaposed with the wild, unfettered chaotic nature of the Prince.

The music of Tasher Desh is a stylistic blend of Indian classical music ragas and Western opera. The poetic lyrics and emotive singing remain in Bengali for this production with the spoken dialogue in English.

The group Dakshinayan UK is a voluntary organisation consisting of members of musical - dance - instrumental music talent and most members are semi or non-professional. Weekly classes are held teaching the curriculum of Dakshinee- the mother institution in Kolkata.

Cast and production team Dancers: Payal Basu, Anindita Maitra, Cid Shaha, Revanta Sarabhai, Bishan Mazumder, Proshenjit Dutta, Rajib Das, Partho Roy, Showmi Das, Senjuti Das, Sejuti Dasgupta, Tuhina Bhattacharya, Ishita Bhattacharya, Emily Dutta, Pratima Chatterjee and Dr Debaldev Jana-India Direction and overall coordination: Dr Ananda Gupta Musicians: Chandrani Chatterjee, Lopamudra Chatterjee, Urmi Chakraborty, Mohua Datta, Anuradha Dutta, Indranil Chakravorty, Dr Ananda Gupta, Sarathy Korwar, Ustad Mehboob Nadeem, Pandit Jasdeep Singh, Alex Housego, Anand , Abu EmranTonmoy

Original score: Rabindranath Tagore Light and sound: Suna Miah Tue 12 Nov, Kobi Nazrul Centre Wed13Nov,KobiNazrulCentre

Brick Lane Circle Seminar: Brick Lane Circles Seminar: Writing plays in Bengali What inspires Bangla in the Diaspora: Drama? Exploring the My Experiences by origin, structures and Ketaki Dyson themes of this art form

Ketaki Kushari Dyson was born in Calcutta and A Storyteller’s Journey By Rez Kabir educated both in Calcutta and Oxford. Though she Rez is an actor and storyteller. He has worked in has now lived in Britain for half a century, she has theatre, film and made appearances on TV. maintained close links with the literary life of her Contributed to education and community projects native Bengal. She writes in both Bengali and English, working with many artists and companies throughout and in a diversity of genres: poetry, fiction, drama, the UK and abroad. critical essays, literary translation, and research-based Recent plays include Londonee, Fairs Not Fair, scholarly books. Unsung, Debdas and Romeo & Juliet.

Ketaki writes original poetry in two languages and by - Father of Bengali Drama has made significant contributions to Tagore research, by Ejel Khan and has translated the poetry of Tagore and of the Ejel has a background in media and journalism. He post-Tagore poet . works for Paraa and Oitij-jo in a bid to help promote Her plays have been performed in both Britain and culture and heritage rooted in Bangaldesh. He is also India, and her play Night’s Sunlight, translated by a host for Limelight film at the Rich Mix. herself from the original Bengali, has been taught in this country at university level. Brick Lane Circle is a voluntary organisation set up to tranform the intellectual landscape of the She has received many literary awards, participated in Bangaldeshi community in the UK and take it to poetry and translation workshops, and given lectures, a new level of confidence and critical enagement poetry readings, and papers in arts and academic with everything relevant to the community’s venues across the world. progress and development www.virgiliolibro.com/kkd www.bricklanecircle.org

A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 9 Thursday 14 November, Rich Mix

Culturepot Global presents Robi’s Garden Written by Vijay Padaki / The Academy of Cast & production team Theatre Arts, Bangalore, India Director: Rebecca Elfasi Creative producer: Runi Khan A small group of children are on an excursion www.commotion.org.uk to Jorasanko where Tagore’s ancestral home is located in Kolkata. They enter the courtyard Culturepot Global brings together emerging theatre in Thakur-badi and sense magic in the and established artists across arts forms to air around them. The caretaker of the estate, provide a platform for the organic proces of who looks suspiciously like Kabuliwala (a collaboration. Culturepot productions often street vendor from Kabul), shares an important have a distinct Bangladehsi flavour, but mantra of Robi-da with the children – that the iniquely innovative, contemporary and all first step in getting what you want in life is … inclusive, to ensure global appeal. imagination. And with imagination, Robi-da’s stories come alive on the courtyard stage. Special thanks: Director Rebecca Elfasi uses physical theatre, To His Excellency Mr Mijarul Quayes, the storytelling and music to engage the audience High Commissioner of Bangladesh in the UK, on a very visual and emotional journey The Academy of Theatre Arts / Bangalore Little through Tagore’s moving yet humorous Theatre, Bangla Academy, Anannya and children’s tales. Kenya Jewellers. Saturday 16 Nov (7pm) and Sunday 17 Nov (5:30pm)

Eastern Thespians presents Mook (The Unspoken) Eastern Thespians is a contemporary theatre Written and directed by Debasish Banerjee group based in London, United Kingdom.

Rahul Mukherjee is a middle-aged investigative Drawing on the rich resources of both eastern journalist who aspires to become a successful and western life, thought, philosophy and art novelist. His desperate attempt at finding a plot forms, both traditional and contemporaneous, with which to write his novel leads him down Eastern Thespians are committed to presenting memory lane to an incident from ten years ago live theatre that is vital, thought provoking and – the murder of his friend Abinash. engaging. We intend exploring various genres This incident has sat uneasily on his mind, and of theatre to bring forth productions that will at this juncture Rahul decides to search for the have wide appeal to our multilingual and truth and weave this into his narrative by multicultural community. travelling to the place of his childhood to investigate the murder of Abinash Chowdhury. www.easternthespians.com.

Rahul investigates a number of characters from Cast and production team the past and present and all walks of life all Actors: Gulnahar Khan, Chandrayee Sengupta, who are somehow connected to the victim. Suchishmita Ganguly, Anwar Haque, Debasish The notion of life being expendable is explored Banerjee, Mazedur Chowdhury, Shekh Naaz through a tale of greed power and politics, and Anirban Mondol Rahul gradually realizes the consequences that Audio-visual& technical support: arise from hidden truths and how the shroud Sharmila Banerjee, Arjun Sen, Wasim Javed of silence led Abinash to meet his violent but Production & management: preventable end. Chandrayee Sengupta, Shobhon Ahmed, Mazedur Chowdhury

A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 11 2 - 24 November, Brady Arts & Community Centre

Art Exhibition The Underlying Narrative By: Saif Osmani, Visual Artist & Spatial Designer

To accompany the line-up of theatre/plays this year, A Season of Bangla Drama is pleased to announce an exhibition of paintings and drawings by visual artist Saif Osmani.

The art exhibition titled ‘The Underlying Narrative’ will focus on common themes, musical influences, settings and characters found within the constructs of a Bengali play. The paintings will examine Banglish language formation, our shifting sense of nationalism and examine memories and stories from the rural village.

As part of the exhibition visitors will be asked to help shape a fictional character’s journey through the trials and tribulations of life.The feedback from visitors will form part of a live mural within the exhibition space, with the aim of formulating a new play shaped by the local community.

Saif was shortlisted for the MICA gallery’s ‘Best Emerging British Artist’ (2012) and has recently shown at Stephen Lawrence Gallery and Barbican Centre, London.He was accepted on the Royal Court Theatre’s Young Writer’s Programme (Critical Mass) during which he wrote two full lengths plays about British-Bangladeshi lives in inner city areas.

E-mail: [email protected] or call 07574 224891 to find out more about mural workshops. Rabindranath Tagore

Nobel Prize could not measure Tagore’s whole strength By: Ahmed Mazhar

Contemporaries of Tagore in Kolkata who actively criticised Tagore’s literature were dumbfounded when Tagore was honoured to be the first Nobel Laureate in Bengal. That particular group changed their tune overnight and was queuing up to congratulate Tagore after he received the Nobel Prize. The literary giants of the period accepted that the revolutionary Rabindro style was ahead of his time.

Tagore’s Nobel Prize winning initiated western interest for Bangla literature and language as a whole. The fact that Tagore won the prize as a poet of English literature, delights me, however, it also pains me that we failed to weigh his vast contribution for Bangla literature and culture.

"Because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West". - Nobel Prize Citation 1913

The Nobel Prize was given only on the basis of Tagore’s ‘’. Rabindranath is not only limited into few songs that were exposed to the Nobel committee. However, did they understand Tagore’s eastern philosophy and his vast contribution to Bangla language such as introduction of new words and expression through songs, poems, novels, shorts stories, essays and paintings.

Rabindranath Tagore wrote in Bengali and often translated his own work into English.

In 1913 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature – the first Asian to receive this honour. He wrote poetry, fiction, drama, essays, and songs; promoted reforms in education, aesthetics and religion.

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)

A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 13 Monday 18 November, Wilton’s Music Hall

Red Mane Productions presents Unsung Written by Ayndrilla Singharay

Two brothers. Two wives. One family.

Ash and Rana are brothers but whereas Ash and Joy are happy and spirited newlyweds, Rana and Megh are struggling to tolerate one another. When a seemingly innocent meeting leads to devastating consequences, there are painful sacrifices to be made by all.

Set in modern day London, Unsung is a re-imagining of Punishment, one of Rabindranath Tagore’s most haunting short stories and is a reminder of just how far we will go to protect those we love.

Red Mane Productions was set up in 2013 to produce new plays and support emerging writers to create theatre that both challenges and inspires audiences. At Red Mane we are keen to nurture the talents of British-Asian artists in the UK. We are also committed to engaging with diverse audiences, including schools, community organisations and vulnerable adults who would otherwise not be familiar with theatre as a tool for change.

Directed by: Lucy Allan Cast: Avita Jay, Rez Kabir, Nadia Nadif and Niall Ray Tue 19 & Wed 20 November, Wilton’s Music Hall

Komola Collective presents Birangona: Women of War Written by Samina Lutfa

Moryom is a young woman who loves the taste of tamarind, the smell of her grandmother, and holding her husband’s hand. It is 1971, the year that the war of independence tears through Bangladesh, leaving no part of the country is untouched. The Kalbosheki Storm is coming. In a small village, Moryom and her family await its arrival. Every day, they hide from soldiers in the pond behind their house, while across the country; women are disappearing from streets and homes. When the storm finally hits, it will take away everything.

In the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence from Pakistan, more than 200,000 women and girls were systematically raped and tortured. After Bangladesh gained independence, the war effort was acknowledged as a popular struggle. Though ‘Freedom Fighters’ were championed, the women who had suffered this plight were ignored by a society which dictated that rape was a source of shame for the victims. Marked with dishonour, they were silenced, ostracised Cast and production team: and forgotten. Research, concept and performance: Leesa Gazi Direction: Filiz Ozcan 42 years on, Komola Collective wants to help Stage design and animation: Caitlin Abbott break this silence. Lighting design: Nasirul Haque Khokon Videography: Fahmida Islam Komola Collective is a London-based arts Sound design: Ahsan Reza company dedicated to telling stories from Music: Sohini Alam & Oliver Weeks women’s perspective that often go untold. Poems: Tarfia Faizullah

A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 15 Friday 22 November, Rich Mix

Moksha presents Putra Written by Rabindranath Tagore

Putra is a unique portrayal of four male protagonists in Tagore’s operas: Kalmrigaya, Shyama, Mayar Khela and Balmiki Pratibha. Each character explores a specific emotion from love, forgiveness, devotion and breaking barriers.

Conceived and produced by Rishi Banerjee, Putra presents a snapshot of the four works. While Kalmrigaya and Balmiki Pratibha will adhere to the musical opera format, Shyama and Mayar Khela will adopt the dance drama tradition bringing to life the major themes of the four dramas.

Cast and production team Actors and Dancers: Rishi Banerjee, Sahana Bajpaie, Sumitra Ghosh, Pratyush Ghosh, Suchismita Ganguly, Aindrila Ghosh, Protima Chatterjee, Shrikant Subramanium, Al Macsween, Arijit Chakraborty, Ballari Banerjee and more… Director: Rishi Banerjee

Moksha is an Indian arts organisation based in the UK and aims to generate new ideas, new understanding and fresh creative forms through Bengali music, Indian classical music and dance. Since its launch in 2006, it has gone from strength to strength with highly acclaimed performances throughout UK and Europe.

We celebrate our past, embrace the present and look to the future - and along the way, connect together people from all generations. www.mokshamusic.co.uk Saturday 23 November

Monchoshoilee presents Informer Written by Shantonu Bishwash Cast and production team Actors: Khadija Rahman, Fahmida Begum Forty two years ago, Bangladesh won its Humayuen Kabir Mahin, Syed Arifuzzaman, independence from Pakistan in a bloody, Ziaur Rahman Saklen, Rajib Das Raju, Ayesha scarring war — one whose ghosts still haunt Elahi, Md Tazul Islam, Ashesh Roy, Jahirul Haque the troubled nation. Ifti, Ruhul Amin and Jakir Chowdhury

This satirical play revolves round Shaikh Zaman, Light design: Rajib Das Raju the central character who is a poor but talented Light direction: Shona Miah patriot, a sadistic Pakistani military officer, Costume design: Fahmida Begum Tahmina a rape victim and a local shopkeeper Asst. costume design: Ruhul Amin Torab. Whilst captured by the Pakistani military Music: Sadeq Ahmed Chowdhury and after being tortured he agrees to become an Set design: Khadija Rahman informer though in reality he is a double agent Asst set design: Syed Arifuzzaman working for the independence of his beloved nation. Set make-up: Manjur, Ifti, Tazul, Ruhul, Saklen, Mahin, Raju, Jakir With the help of Torab and Zaman, Tahmina Make-up: Alpona Roy Barman, Ayesha Elahi, fuelled with revenge kills one of the Pakistani Shuporna Roy Barman and Ashesh military officers. An investigation into the Stage hands: Ruhul, Ifti, Tazul, Arif, Raju murder ensues with Zaman sacrificing his life Projector plan and operater: Khadija Rahman in order to save Tahmina and Ramju, a front Asst projector design: Jakir Chowdhury line freedom fighter.

Monchoshoilee is the drama wing of Bishwo Creative producer: Shamim Azad Shahito Kendro (World Literary Centre); a Director: Ziaur Rahman Saklen creative art, literature, and education based Advisor: Humayuen Kabir organisation that overseas a range of prorammes Production manager: Rajib Das Raju throughout the year. All events are designed to promote harmonious relationships among all communities through its activities regardless of social or ethnic origin.

A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 17 Sunday 24 November

Udichi Shilpi Gosthti UK Sangshad presents 1971 Written by

This drama is about the liberation war in Bangladesh and how the brave and determined Bengalis fought together against their enemies. It is based on the true story of freedom fighter Rafiq from Nilganj, Maymonsingh (Bangladesh) and Ahmed’s simple but witty retelling of his experience on the battlefield highlights how the spirit of 1971 can still engender national pride amongst the younger generation.

Udichi Shilpi Goshti UK Sangshad is a cultural organisation founded by Sottyen Sen on 29th October 1968 in the wake of the mass uprising against autocracy. The organisation has branches all around the world. Sottyen Sen School of Performing Arts and Udichi Shipli Goshti UK Sangshad are working together to promote Bangla culture through drama, dance, music and organising cultural events. It is a progressive cultural organisation which believes that widening cultural consciousness is a positive force of changing society.

Cast and production team Actors: Samsul Islam Rubel, Ziaur Rahman Saklen, Rajib Das, Shupurna Chakraborthy, Shamsuddin Ahmed, Amina Ali, MotiurTaj, Sala Uddin Shahin, Ashm Chakraborthy and Monjolika Das Direction: Fazlul Kabir Tuhin Set design: Amina Ali Technical support: Robiul Hoque Lenin Sound & light: Ashm Chakraborthy Make up: Shupurna Chakraborthy Music: Gopal Das Production manager: Mongolika Zamali Serving fresh quality produce since 1936

Taj Stores celebrating 77 years of success 1936 - 2013

112-116 Brick Lane, London E1 6RL 020 7377 0061 www.tajstores.co.uk - [email protected] Event Catering Our event catering services include wedding catering, corporate catering and fund raising CHMMDQRENQSGDMNM OQNƥSRDBSNQ

An established caterer, growing from strength to strength since 1995. Pride of Asia has been servicing the public throughout the country, satisfying parties ranging from 20-2000 people. Whether its a wedding, corporate event, charity fundraiser or a product launch, Our food and quality of service bears only one thing in mind, your satisfaction.

207 Mile End Road,Road, E: [email protected]@prideofasia.com London E1 4AA T:T: 020 7790 1600 Betar Bangla 1503AM is proud to support A Season of Bangla Drama 2013

Talk live in our studio 020 3455 0330 or email [email protected]

www.betarbangla.org.uk Live every day from 8am to 1am

Betar Bangla London, Unit 6, 10/14 Hollybush gdns London E2 9QP Funders, Sponsors and Partners

Supported by the Bangladesh GROUP P LC High Commission

Acknowledgements

Ashraf Mahmud Neswar – Founder of A Season of Bangla Drama, Maraz Ahmed, Rehan Jamil, Emma Warden, Ali Campbell, Julian Deering, Rose Sharp, Rob Ellis, Oliver Carruthers, Rhiannon Willkins, Nicola Muir, Glenford Barnes, Frances Mayhew, Oona Patterson, Becky Ruffell, Shirin Akhter, Golam Nizam, Topu Choudhury, Hafiz Alam Bakhsh, Urmee Mazhar, Syeda Choudhury, Runi Khan, Leesa Gazi, Syed Samadul Hoque, Fahmida Islam, Nadia Ali, Inderpeet Sahota, Nasfim Haque, Rayhan Rahman, Shamim Ali, Shelim Ahmed, Abdul Qayum (Jamal), Khadija Rahman, Ahmed Mazhar, Sarah Dickson, Jill Tuffee, Afsana Begum, Rahima Begum and Restless Beings, Gillian Murphy, Fuad Ali, Taryn Khanom, Dina Begum, Shahida Rahman, Naz Islam (Biplob) and Shahed Md. Yunus.

A Season of Bangla Drama is organised by London Borough of Tower Hamlets Arts & Events Team Festival curator: Kazi Ruksana Begum Centre Manager: Jerry Deeks Lighting and sound: Suna Miah Festival Assistant curator: Isma Arif Marketing and publicity Karen Hubbard Exhibitions: Jill Fullbrook Festival support: Shiblu Miah

Brady Centre staff: Doug Bines, Bill Cooper, Tsitrana Suszynski, Mushahed Ahmed, Khadiza Begum, Hedayet Moula, Janet Triggs, Alison Philcock and Regina Drungilas

Organisations involved in A Season of Bangla Drama 2013 Brick Lane Circle, Culturepot Global, Dakshinayan UK, Docklands Theatre and Performing Arts, Eastern Thespians, Komola Collective, Monchoshoilee – drama wing of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, Moksha, Red Mane Productions Tamarind Theatre Company, The Rokeya Project and Udichi Shilpi Goshti UK Sangsad

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved in making A Season of Bangla Drama possible

A Season of Bangla Drama Schedule, 2-24 November 2013

Sat 2 Nov Thu 7 Nov Fri 8 Nov Sat 9 Nov Sun 10 Nov Tue 12 Nov Wed 13 Nov Docklands Theatre & Seminar on Tagore The Rokeya Project Seminar Tamarind Theatre Co. Brick Lane Circle Brick Lane Circle Time Performing Arts by Mohamed Mijarul Qatif The Long Table Being Ernest My Experiences by What Inspires Bangla & Oprakritik Prakriti Quayes Rich Mix Arts 1, Pinter Studio, Queen Mary University Ketaki Dyson Drama? (The Consequence) Arts 2, Queen Mary Queen Mary University of London Kobi Nazrul Centre Kobi Nazrul Centre Venue 7pm Brady Arts Centre University of London of London 3:30pm 7pm FREE 7pm FREE 7pm 5:45pm FREE 5pm FREE The Rokeya Project Dakshinyan UK Time Qatif Tasher Desh & Rich Mix (Land of Cards) The Octogan, Queen Venue 7pm Mary University London 7pm Time Theatre (Bangladesh) & Mukti Brady Arts Centre Venue 7pm Tamarind Theatre Co. Time Being Ernest & Arts 1, Pinter Studio, Venue Queen Mary University of London 7pm

Thu 14 Nov Sat 16 Nov Sun 17 Nov Mon 18 Nov Tue 19 Nov Wed 20 Nov Fri 22 Nov Culturepot Global Eastern Thespian Eastern Thespian Red Mane Productions Komola Collective Komola Collective Moksha Time Robi’s Garden Mook Mook Unsung Birongona Birongona Putra & Rich Mix Brady Arts Centre Brady Arts Centre Wilton’s Music Hall Wilton’s Music Hall Wilton’s Music Hall Rich Mix Venue 7pm 7pm 5:30pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm £10.50 / £12.50 £10.50 / £12.50 £10.50 / £12.50

Sat 23 Nov Sun 24 Nov Unless otherwise stated all tickets are £8.00 & £5.00 • Doors open: 7pm Show starts: 7:30pm Monchoshoilee Udichi Shilpi Goshti Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, E1 5HU rama Time Informer Sangsad UK Kobi Nazrul Centre, 30 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR /aseasonof banglad www.wegottickets.com & Brady Arts Centre 1971 Queen Mary Univery London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS Venue 7pm Brady Arts Centre Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Roaf, E1 6LA • Box Office: 020 7613 7498 7pm Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, E1 8JB • Box Office: 020 7702 2789 For more info: T: 020 7364 7900 E: [email protected] www.towerhamlets.gov.uk