Dhaka: ‘Page to Stage: Episode 1’ presented by Avant-garde Productions in association with Jatrik, The Junction, and Art Hut brought with an innovative approach to stage through the performance of various literary texts making the texts lively, spontaneous, leading towards a new door of aestheticism.

The event was held at The Junction, House 66, Block C, Road 8, Niketon, Gulshan on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 5.30pm, said a press release.

Showcasing mixed media theatrical genres, this episode of ‘Page to Stage’ offers dance-drama ‘Still I Rise’, recital performance ‘Self-willed Exile’, absurd play ‘Joyer Opekkhay’, visual poetry ‘Dhaka Shuts’ and poetry in action ‘Apolitical Intellectuals’.

The event ended with raaga performance by classical music maestros from Bangladesh, Sweden, and the USA.

The event sets sail with dance-drama: ‘Still I Rise’ written by Maya Angelou, adapted and directed by Ahmed Tahsin Shams, performed by Priyana Virginia Gomes, Elizabeth Eti Marandy, Rose Marian Rozario, Md Saifuddin Al Quaderi, Arnab Bhattyacharjee, Rashedul Islam at 5:45pm which ends at 6:15pm. This production is a mixed media performance where classical dance, visual presentation, and age-old storytelling technique have been implied to deconstruct the patriarchal stereotyping of mythical narrations.

The second show is recital performance: ‘Self-Willed Exile’ written by Aminur Rahman, adapted and directed by Ahmed Tahsin Shams, performed by Sharear Rafi, Sadia Hashim, Arnab Bhattyacharjee at 6:30pm which ends at 6:35pm. This short performance personifies poem and portrays a poet’s affection towards poetry in theatrical-audiovisual method. 

The next performance is an absurd play: ‘Joyer Opekkhay’, written by Sadik Haque, inspired by Samuel Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’, performed by Md Saifuddin Al Quaderi, Aditya Shankar, Rashedul Islam, Elizabeth Eti Marandy, Khaled Redwan Rafsan, Arnab Bhattyacharjee, Rahin (Saxophone) and Jishnu (Guitar) which is staged between 6:50pm-7:20pm.

At 7:40pm-7:45pm, visual poetry: ‘Dhaka Shuts’ versed by Nazmun Naher Shishir, screenplay and directed by Ahmed Tahsin Shams is screened where poetry has been adapted into visual storytelling sharing the daily struggles on streets women face in patriarchal societies.  

At 7:55pm-8:05pm, poetry in action: ‘Apolitical Intellectuals’ originally written by Otto Rene Castillo, translated into Bangla by Prof. Dr. Azfar Hussain, staged by Shoikot Siddique, and directed by Ahmed Tahsin Shams is staged. The other performers are Tamjid Mia, Sourav Ahmed, Khaled Redwan Rafsan, Fahim Ali, Aditya Shankar, Md Saifuddin Al Quaderi, Rashedul Islam. Here, a mixed media performative method has been implied to project the role of intellectuals and its deep connection with capitalism.   

The event ends with classical music performances at 8:20pm-10pm where Swedish sitar player K. G. Westman (Sweden), along with accompany classical artists Pandit Ashoke Paul (Bangladesh) and Mir Naqibul Islam (USA), perform in ‘Raaga Tales’. It is to be mentioned that K.G. Westman is one of Europe´s foremost sitar players in the field of north Indian classical and semi classical music. As a senior disciple of Pandit Rabindra Narayan Goswami he has performed in India, Sri Lanka, Europe, USA and Russia as well as for radio and T.V. Westman is one of the founders and main organizers of the Stockholm Sangeet Festival, Scandinavi as most prestigious event for Indian classical music and dance, which has run for over a decade.