"We do plays out of pure passion"

Stepping into the theatre arena as a teenager, Kazi Chapal has now carved a name as a promising theatre director. Though he started out as an actor, Chapal later found his passion in direction with entertaining plays like “Paicho Chor er Kichchha” and “Scheme” to his credit. In a recent chat with Arts & Entertainment, Chapal talked about his journey and more. Excerpts:

Tell us about your beginnings in the world of theatre?

Chapal: In the late 1980s and early '90s, the theatre scene was vibrant, and people would watch plays with enthusiasm, especially in rural areas. I was attracted to theatre immediately. Once I went to Jorasanko Thakur Bari with my mother, and saw students of Rabindra Bharati University staging plays. I immediately decided to study theatre, and fortunately was enrolled there in 1991. After finishing my study I returned to Bangladesh, and got involved with BUET Drama Society. I stayed there for many years, and worked on the direction of five or six plays before joining Dhaka Padatik. Before that I was with my troupe Biyonboni Theatre in Khulna. The troupe is still active in Khulna.

What do you look for in a good play?

Chapal: I always prefer to uphold the elements of our own heritage. While researching our folk elements, I discovered a great story that was later made into a popular play. I found the story of “Paicho Chor er Kichchha” in Khulna, but later brought it to stage from Dhaka Padatik. The play became an instantaneous hit. I incorporated the original elements of our folk traditions in the plays.

Who are your favourite playwrights?

Chapal: My favourite playwrights are William Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, Luigi Pirandello, and of course my teacher and mentor Manoj Mitra.

Your dream as a theatre director?

Chapal: I'll continue to give the Dhaka audience a flavour of our folk elements through my productions. I have plans to take our folk storytelling tradition to the global stage through my plays.

How do theatre troupes fund their productions?

Chapal: In group theatre, groups arrange money for plays. They collect membership fees and seniors donate money. Sometimes, we shell out money from our own pocket. And for festivals, we publish souvenirs and raise money for the next year through them. In addition, the government allocates a small amount of money every year for all theatre troupes. Sometimes we earn money through tickets, and through calling shows. But theatre is not commercial, we do plays out of pure passion.