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Would you tell us why you took Rabindranath Tagore’s story as your maiden directorial work?
   Nuna Afroz: When we established our theatre group called Prangane Mor, we declared that we would produce mostly the works of Rabindranath Tagore. So, it was a group decision. I was highly impressed by reading the novel ‘Char Adhaya’ and eventually, planned to work on it. I scripted the story of the novel for theatre under the title ‘Swadeshi’.
   To which aspects did you give importance?
   NA: First of all I emphasised on performance. Most of the members of the group are new in theatre, but we have plans to make them into good performers. I believe that we can attract the audience to Tagore’s work with a lively performance.
   Would you say something about the play?
   NA: As I told you earlier, we wanted to present the audience a performance-based play, so that our performers can learn acting. The play presents the turbulent period called the Swadeshi movement during British rule. Kabiguru supported the liberation movement but did not support terrorism in the name of liberation war. In the present day we are also facing terrorism across the world. So, I think that this play is very much relevant within the contemporary social canvas.
   You are saying that your group members are new on stage, but how come you took the risk to present a performance-based play with them?
   NA: Yes, they are new on stage, but this is also the proper time to teach them performance. I think that if new actors and actresses put importance on acting then they will do better in the future.
   Would you say anything about the up coming production of your group?
   NA: Our next production will be on the life and works of Charankabi Mukunda Das; the title of the play is ‘Lok Nayak’, directed by Ananta Hira. I hope that this play will be an outstanding production as the name of Mukunda Das is almost unknown to the people of this generation. In addition, the audience will get a chance to know about the bard.
   Are you performing in the new play?
   NA: The director has not decided on casting. So, I cannot say whether I will be included or not.
   What do you prefer, performing or direction?
   NA: Of course, I prefer performance. I want to be an actress but, I think that directorial works will not obscure my commitment to performance.
   In ‘Swadeshi’ we saw you performing and at the same time directing the play. Do you think that these two jobs clash in any way?
   NA: No, I do not think so. When I perform in the play, ‘Swadeshi’, I forget that I am the director of the play. At that time, I fully concentrate on my performance.
   What are you thinking about your next directorial work?
   NA: Yes, I am thinking about my next directorial work; that will also be based on a Tagore story, but I do not want to disclose it now.

The shooting of a thirteen-episode tele-drama titled ‘Pratnanari’, which started on May 3, is going on in full swing. The play, written by Dr Selim Al Din, is directed by Rafi Hossain.
   According to the director, they have completed almost forty percent shooting and he hoped that it will be completed by this month.
   Shooting will be done in Mayanamati, Mahastangarh, Lal Bagh Kella and other archaeological sites of the country.
   Rafi Hossain said, ‘the protagonist of the play will move across several historical events. Unlike other conventional stories, this production will present many mysterious incidents.’
   ‘It will also be presented with a narrative including some surrealistic images,’ he added.
   He further said, ‘If we want to change the taste of the television audience we should experiment with storylines as well as direction. I have tried to experiment a lot in the play and I have jumped from the present to the past.’
   Ahmed Rubel is performing as Dipan, Srabanti as Paramita. Among others, Dilara Zaman, Basar Bandapaddhaya, Tanima Hamid and Chhabi are in the cast.

The final episode of Enechhi Surjer Hasi, a drama serial on different awareness issues regarding health related problems and their remedies, ends today. The serial has been aired on BTV. Funded by the USAID and produced by the Bangladesh Centre for Communication Programmes, the serial, scripted and directed by Giasuddin Selim, gained immense popularity among audiences of all ages.
   Popular artistes have performed in this serial and among them Joya Ahsan performs the role of Ayesha, the paramedic playing the central role.

On the third day of Ibsen Theatre Festival, students of the dramatics and music department of Dhaka University staged Henrik Ibsen’s ‘Lady from the Sea’ at the Experimental Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The play was directed by Israfil Shaheen of the university.
   Ellida Wangel’s dreams to come out from the exploitation of a male dominated society have been presented in the play. Another play, ‘Ghost’ was staged on the same day at the Jatiya Natyashala. Directed by Nobuhito Hanashima, the play was presented by the Ibsen Performance Group of Japan.

Film show
   Academy Film Society
   Rent, (musical), 135minutes, USA, 2005
   06:30pm, Jaijaidin Mediaplex, Love Road, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka
   
   Exhibition
   Solo Art Exhibition
   Untitled 2006
   by Nazia Andaleeb Preema
   from 11:00am to 8:00pm,
   Art & Soul Gallery
   House no. 16, Road no. 36, Gulshan, Dhaka
   Images of Ibsen’s Life and Plays
   5:30pm, (inauguration),
   Organised by Centre for Asian Theatre, Jatiya Chitrashala Plaza, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka
   
   Mrinal Sen’s Birthday Celebration, Bhoban Shome
   6:00pm, House no. 25, Road no. 96, Gulshan-ll, Dhaka
   (Complementary passes available at the Information and Culture Wing, High Commission of India, House no. 2, Road no. 142, Gulshan-l, Dhaka
   
   Theatre
   Samarpan by Matijheel Theatre
   7:00pm, Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium, Bangladesh Mahila Samity, Bailey Road,
   Dhaka
   
   Ibsen Theatre Festival
   John Gabriel Borkman
   Directed by Habib Zakaria of Rajshahi University
   5:00pm,
   Experimental Theatre Hall, An Enemy of the People
   Directed by Madeeha Gauhar of Ajoka Theatre, Pakistan
   7:15pm,
   Jatiya Natyashala,
   Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy,
   Segun Bagicha,
   Dhaka

GMB Akash, a young prominent photographer of the daily New Age, has won three more international awards and this time from China. It can be mentioned here that he has won a third prize in the daily life category at the World Press Photo Contest.
   The talented photographer grabbed three international awards from Asia Press Photo Contest 2006 and China International Press Photo Contest 2006.
   He won the gold medal from the Asia Photo Contest while bronze and honourable mention award from China International Photo Contest. He will fly to China to receive the award in the last week of May.