Mahakal to stage ‘Neelakhyan’ today

Theatre troupe Mahakal Natya Sampraday will stage the 71st show of its much-acclaimed production titled ‘Neelakhyan’ today at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in Segun Bagicha of the capital.

Based on the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s short story ‘Shapure’, the play has been adapted by Anan Zaman. Director Yousuf Hasan Arko uses the traditional narrative theatre technique to present the story of a snake-charmer. The play, which is the 36th production of the troupe, narrates the story of a snake-charmer whose dilemma over the desires for physical love

and spiritual attainment takes the Centre stage.

The storyline of the play revolves around Zohor, leader of a snake charmers’ community, who eagerly appeals to Monosha, the goddess of snakes and the underworld, to grant him a spiritual status that will make him impervious to snake venom. The goddess accepts his prayer on the condition that he will have to abstain from carnal desires to dedicate his body and mind to achieving the goal. He will also have to suffer 100 bites from snakes on consecutive nights surrounding the full moon. The story goes forward on.

The probable cast of the play includes Poly Biswas, Tonu Ghosh, Litu Mondal, Monami Islam Kanak, Jerin Tasneem Esha, Sonia Islam and Nirjhor Odhikary, among others. Director Yousuf Hasan Arko also directed music for the play and has designed the set. Choreography by Zerin Tasneem Esha, Thandu Raihan has done the light design.