Aranyak brings ‘Raarang’ on stage today

Marking the International Worker’s Day (May Day), the heroic tales of the struggles of the Santal community are going to be brought to life on stage today. Theatre troupe Aranyak Natyadal will stage yet another show of its audience-acclaimed play ‘Raarang’ at 7pm at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in Segun Bagicha of the capital.

Based on the Santal Rebellion of 1855, which is said to have inspired the revolutionary struggles of many other groups across the Indian subcontinent, ‘Raarang’ also shows the tragic tale of Alfred Soren, who was killed in 2000 when he opposed the expulsion of Santals from their ancestral lands. Soren was stabbed to death and his home torched.

Set against the backdrop of the British Raj, written and directed by Mamunur Rashid, the play’s impressive cast includes Chanchal Chowdhury, AKM Hassan, Tomalika Karmakar, Joy Raj and Shamim Jaman. Raarang is a Santal word for their battle cry. Though the Santal uprising has been overshadowed by many others that followed, the legacy of the rebellion lives on among the Santal tribes and speaks of their pride in their identity.