Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 809 Mon. September 04, 2006  
   
Culture


Theatre
Generating social awareness


Peoples' Theatre Association (PTA) in association with Rakhal, Swedish ITI and Swedish SIDA have embarked on a school theatre programme. Under their current project PTA held two theatre performances: Mushkil Ashan and Ekti Shiter Ratri at Herbarium auditorium Mirpur recently.

The children of Mirpur Annesha Multimedia school staged Mushkil Ashan. . The play, directed by Diraj Mahmud, focused on the problems that can arise in rural Bangladesh from malnutrition and the importance of a balanced diet and healthy living. This work also aimed at informing the people about the causes of water borne diseases and how they can be prevented. The story was based on a king and his kingdom. The people of the kingdom suffered from bad heath and malnutrition. They had no idea of cleanliness or a healthy lifestyle.The central character of the drama was played by the royal physician. He gave proper medicine and explained the importance of vitamins, balanced diet and cleanliness. By following the advice of the royal physician, there was a dramatic improvement in the lives of the kingdom's inhabitants.

Explaining his motivation in directing this play, Diraj Mahmud said " Every year many children die because of improper knowledge of their parents. We shall continue staging such plays to raise social awareness, " he added.

The second play, Ekti Shiter Ratri was staged by Peoples' Reparatory Association and directed by Liaquat Ali Lucky. The playwright is Staffan Gothe and the translator is Krishti Hefaz. The focus is on the adverse consequences of rigid discipline on a child.

Such plays can go a long way in understanding and dealing with the delicate parent-child relationship.

Picture
Children artistes performing in the play Ekti Shiter Ratri