‘Nityapurana’ returns to stage with symbolic ‘127.5th’ show
Theatre troupe Desh Natok is set to return with "Nityapurana", one of its most celebrated productions, at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). The upcoming performance is scheduled for 6:30 pm on November 27.
The performance follows an abrupt halt during its 127th staging on November 2, leaving the audience in suspense and sparking widespread discussion in the theatre community.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. In a unique gesture, Desh Natok has labeled this upcoming performance as the "127.5th" show, a nod to the interrupted production earlier this month.
Playwright and director Masum Reza confirmed the news, stating, "The show on November 2 was our 127th performance, but since it was stopped midway, we couldn't complete it. As we could only perform half of the play that day, we are now marking this as the '127.5th' show. From this point forward, we will continue the count from here, as the remaining half of that performance can never be reclaimed."
To accommodate those affected, Desh Natok announced that ticket holders from November 2 would not need to purchase new tickets for the upcoming performance.
"Nityapurana", written and directed by Masum Reza, delves into the story of Eklavya, a marginalised character from the Mahabharata. The play explores themes of caste-based discrimination, following Eklavya's struggle to learn archery from Guru Dronacharya despite being of lower caste.
Although Eklavya's unmatched dedication allows him to surpass Arjuna, Dronacharya demands his thumb as guru dakshina (teacher's fee), a cruel act that leaves Eklavya talentless and defeated.
The play has garnered acclaim for its poignant exploration of societal inequalities. Between 2001 and 2005, "Nityapurana" was staged 86 times across Bangladesh and abroad.
After a long hiatus, it resumed regular performances in November 2017, continuing to captivate audiences with its powerful narrative.
Comments