Condemned Cell: It is needed to mention that all the events and characters of the play “Condemned Cell” are fictional. The liberation war of 1971 is the most glorious moment of Bengali history, but before gaining the independence, the Bengal of fifty six thousand square mile area and sixty eight thousand villages were shattered and poisoned to blue because of the genocide and rape of women conducted by the brutal invader Pakistani Army with the direct help and participation of their associating homicide razakar, al bodor, al shams during the war, the playwright created a partial image of that situation in this play, except these events, all the other characters that drives the events of this drama are fictional.
Condemned Cell
About the Drama:
It is needed to mention that all the events and characters of
the play “Condemned Cell” are fictional. The liberation war of 1971 is the most
glorious moment of Bengali history, but before gaining the independence, the
Bengal of fifty six thousand square mile area and sixty eight thousand villages
were shattered and poisoned to blue because of the genocide and rape of women
conducted by the brutal invader Pakistani Army with the direct help and
participation of their associating homicide razakar, al bodor, al shams during
the war, the playwright created a partial image of that situation in this play,
except these events, all the other characters that drives the events of this
drama are fictional. Yet, if any audience finds or discovers any resemblance
between any event or character of the play with any living person or experience
of own life, then he/she will carry all the liabilities. And those audience who
won’t find any resemblance or won’t be able to discover any, will be able to
return with impunity. The main intention of the play “Condemned Cell” is to
search for those liable audiences. All the events of the drama occurs inside
the Condemned Cell, where only the prisoners with death penalty can stay,
according to the jail rule.
Director’s Word:
“Freedom, how old are you?
Mother said you are
Just one year younger than me
When I started taking one or two steps
After finishing the crawling period
At that time period
Pak hyena started to occupy.”
I don’t know how much these lines relate with the analysis of my
work, however, these are the line that first came in my mind when I took the
pen. I have seen the liberation war but don’t remember anything. As a result, I
can’t say proudly that “I’m a child of independent Bangladesh” like a pupil of
this generation says. I entered my name in theatre at a child’s age. Then it
was going good by acting in minor roles. Suddenly, I was instigated by my
troupe to take the heavy duty of directing. ‘Inspired’ would have been a better
word to hear. But I won’t use it because I never had any desire about giving
direction on stage. But our troupe leader, Mr. Ananta Hira handed over me his
script and said, “Have a look into this, you have to give direction if you like
this one.” Mr. Ananta Hira is a very clever man. Read the script, and got
mesmerized. He used the weakest point of mine. Grabbed the opportunity
greedily. I took the decision of completing this task because of two reasons-
firstly, the responsibilities of a theatre worker, and secondly, my liabilities
to the society. I know it’s very challenging to exhibit the background of the
play to the audiences of this time, and I took this challenge due to my love
for theatre. I couldn’t participate in the liberation war. At least, I can
stand beside the brave fighters in the fight against the current
anti-independence minded people. I don’t understand progressive or
conservative. I believe in the simple perception of Rabindranath Tagore- “Which
is true is art, is beautiful.” I didn’t confine myself in any sort of method or
formation while directing this play. I tried to fluently present the demand of
the playwright in front of the audience. Just like the way a maiden, sitting on
a porch, makes perfect stitches on a nokshi kantha with her simplest thoughts.
I don’t how much I can entertain you. But I enjoyed a lot doing this work.
The way all the colleagues of my troupe opened their helping
door while doing this task, only showing gratitude will be a very small thing
to that. Their debt is unpayable. Also, gratitude to those persons and
institutions who helped us economically and in many other ways to make the play
presentable on stage. At the end, I have a special request to the current
generation, be with the truth, be the bearer of our history and tradition. Only
then the culture will be firmed, the country will move forward.
Awal Reza
21st March, 2016
Premier Show: 01/04/2016
Venue: Jatio Nattyashala, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka.
Cast and Crew list
Condemned Cell Casting List
On Stage
Character |
Name |
Osman |
Ananta Hira |
Mia Vai |
Md. Shabuktaign Shuvo |
Nosu |
Nuna Afroz |
Jailer |
Awal Reza |
Bodda |
Ramiz Razu |
Chander Huzur |
Zahidul Islam |
Khamaruz |
Mainul Tawhid |
Meherunnesa |
Suvechha Rahman |
Mother of Meherunnesa |
Preity Priya |
Brother of Meherunnesa |
Bandhu Tuhin |
Young Mia Vai |
Ahmed Sojan |
Assistants of Mia Vai |
Raja, Mithun |
Young Bodda |
Bandhu Tuhin |
Pakistani Major |
Sujoy Das Gupta |
Pakistani Soldiers |
Najat, Nijhor |
Prisoner Matt |
Mofajjol, Parth |
Villagers |
Prokriti, Rahul, Mofajjol, Parth,
Moushumi, Urmil, Badhan, Prince |
Back Stage
Designation |
Name |
Playwrite |
Ananta Hira |
Direction |
Awal Reza |
Art Direction |
Faiz Zahir |
Light Direction |
Tawfique Azim Robin |
Music Direction |
Ramiz Razu |
Costume |
Suvechha Rahman |
Associate of Costume |
Ruhul Amin Raja |
Music Operate |
Porosh Ahmed |
Light Operate |
Sumon Mollick |
Props Management |
Moushumi, Badhan |
Wig |
Md. Manik Khan |
Makeup |
Jony Sen |
Promotion & Publication |
Sarwar Saikat |
Stage Manager |
Sumon Mollick |
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