BotTala Theatre Group is gearing up to celebrate a significant achievement as their renowned play “Khona” is set to mark its 100th performance, more than ten years after its initial debut. The play first premiered on March 8, 2010, at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, and since then, it has steadily progressed towards this milestone.
In a nod to its origins, BotTala has opted to hold the 100th staging of “Khona” at the Shaheed Minar as well. The special performance is scheduled for April 11, with a two-day festival planned by the theatre group on April 10 and 11, featuring a variety of cultural and community-centered activities.
The festival will kick off on April 10 with a chemical-free agricultural products fair starting at 10 am, showcasing a diverse range of organic food items from different regions of the country. Additionally, there will be a “Matir Pathshala” (Clay School) where children can engage in clay art activities and group performances.
Continuing into April 11, the agricultural products fair will resume in the morning, followed by the 100th performance of “Khona” at 7 pm. Post-show, recognition will be given to the artists and crew members involved in the production for their contributions.
Moreover, a special exhibition titled “Khona Through the Audience’s Camera” will run during the festival, displaying photographs taken by audience members at various play performances over the years. The top ten selected photographs will receive awards as part of the exhibition.
“Khona” delves into themes of women’s rights and social class disparities, drawing attention to issues that remain relevant despite the story’s ancient origins. The narrative sheds light on the internal barriers women encounter when venturing outside their homes and explores the agricultural wisdom and heritage associated with Khona’s legacy, prompting audiences to ponder profound truths beyond her life’s complexities.
Penned by Samina Luthfa Nitra and directed by Mohammad Ali Haider, the play features a talented cast including Kazi Roksana Ruma, Evan Riaz, Imran Khan Munna, Taufique Hassan, Mizanur Rahman, Sheyuti Shahgufta, Kamaruzzaman Saeed, Hafiza Akter, Chandan Pal, and Abdul Kader in various roles.
