TOGETHER WE CAN stages puppet theatre at Chhayanaut

Actor Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed's organisation, Together We Can, in association with the British Council Bangladesh, staged a puppet theatre show, titled Mukti Aloy Aloy (I am the light) at the main auditorium of Chhayanaut on July 6. CRP and EMK Center supported the staging of the play.

Nawshaba, who is the director of the production, worked with differently abled individuals from CRP (Centre for the Rehabilitation of Paralysed) for the puppet show. The socially conscious actor's inclusion in WOW (Women of the World) Festival, organised by the British Council, earned her great acclaim. 

"I formed the theatre troupe Together We Can, which comprises of members whose lives are confined to wheelchairs. My interest towards puppetry dates back to my involvement with many Sisimpur projects. Later, I have become seriously involved with the puppet theatre and started staging regular shows in Bangladesh." says Nawshaba.

"I had an accident, and was confined to a wheelchair for a year and a half. I was shocked when my doctor told me that I could never do puppetry," she said, "Then, I thought about fighting back to stand again. I am happy that the precious differently abled children are the cast of my play. I want to establish their status as artistes, so that they can never be called a 'burden' on the society."  

Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Inspired from a real life story, the plot of the play revolves around a girl named Ratna, and an incident that leads her to resort to the amputation of her limb. The story reflects on the hardships, struggles and brutality that the society plagues her with after the tragedy. Nawshaba came up with the concept for the play, while Ejaj Fara was the playwright.

The proceedings of both the moving visuals with paintings, and the live puppet theatrical performances were stunning. The audience enjoyed the two-dimensional production, with immaculate light and sound designs. 

Following the staging of the show, renowned artists -- Rafiqun Nabi and Shishir Bhattacharya – spoke at the event.