Theatre troupe Dania Studio Theatre premiered its production titled Kathan: Chhinna Bhinna Itihas at the Dania Studio Theatre Hall at Dania, Jatrabari in the capital on Saturday.

Kathan: Chhinna Bhinna Itihas, the maiden production of Dania Studio Theatre, is based on Hasan Azizul Huq’s literary work titled Ekattor: Karatale Chhinnamatha. The play has been written and directed by Sha Nawaz.

The play revolves around an old person, who witnesses the genocide committed by the Pakistani occupation forces during the War of Independence in 1971.

After the country becomes independent, he does not forget the inhuman acts committed by the Pakistani occupation forces.

He stays up all night in fear of having nightmares and stays indoors during the day. He only feels safe while sitting next to a lamp.

The audience gets a glimpse into different incidents that happened in Khulna during the war in 1971 through the narrative of the old person.

He tells the audience about dead bodies floating on water, people hiding in forests to avoid getting captured by the Pakistan army and other things he witnessed during the tumultuous days of the war.

Sha Nawaz played the character of the old narrator in the monologue play.

‘Hasan Azizul Huq writes in his book Ekattor: Karatale Chhinnamatha that the dead body of a man floats face up and the body of a woman floats face down. The book inspired me to bring the play to the stage,’ Sha Nawaz told New Age.

‘The play aims at spreading the spirit of the war of independence among youths,’ mentioned Sha Nawaz, adding, ‘It is unfortunate that theatre practice is mostly limited to Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy due to lack of venues. We will stage at least one show of the play at Dania Studio Theatre Hall every month.’

Abu Azad designed the stage lighting while Md Hanif designed background music and Fayaz Fardeen, Rohan Nawaz, Rezwan Nawaz, Ali Rafsan Likhan, Rabiul Islam, Shaon Mahmood and Jaber Khan designed props for the play.

Dania Studio Theatre staged the second show of the play on Sunday.