"no one has really brought his story to the theatre."
Komola Rong er Bodh, the latest theatre production by Theatre Factory, is set to premiere on May 9, 2025, at Dhaka’s Mohila Samity stage.
Written and directed by Alok Basu, the play pays tribute to celebrated Bengali poet Jibanananda Das.
It weaves his life and introspections into a deeply reflective theatrical experience.
Additional shows for the play are scheduled for May 10 and 11, 2025.
The story begins on October 14, 1954, the day Jibanananda Das was hit by a tram. He succumbed to his injuries nine days later.
The play imagines the final chapter of his life, unfolding through his thoughts, memories, and philosophical reflections.
Inspired by his Literary Notes, the production attempts to bridge the poet’s world with that of modern-day audiences, particularly the youth.
Alok Basu said the poet’s emotional depth and posthumous success make him a compelling figure.
Alok shared: “After Tagore, Jibanananda Das stands as one of the greatest poets in Bengali literature.
“There’s a space of pain in his writing that mirrors the complexity of human emotions.”
He added that the play features three young characters trying to understand Jibanananda’s inner world, eventually encountering him in a realm of imagination.
Alok also pointed out that despite Jibanananda Das’ literary stature, his life has rarely been explored on stage.
He said: “It’s unfortunate that no one has really brought his story to the theatre.
“He lived a simple life, but portraying him is anything but simple.
“We’ve taken that challenge to highlight the lesser-known aspects of who he was.”
The cast features Dipu Mahmud, Arif Anwar, and KM Hasan portraying different facets of Jibanananda Das.
Supporting roles are performed by Asha Akter, Bipasha Saif, Munmun Khan, Subhash Sarkar, Akleema Akter, Diganta, and others.
The technical team includes Tandu Raihan (lighting), Mohsina Akter (costumes), Ramiz Raju (music), Shakil Siddharth (set design), and Aminul Ashraf (choreography).
A technical preview will be held on April 27, 2025, as a prelude to the main shows.
The production is dedicated to the memory of the late Aly Zaker, honouring his lasting impact on the theatre scene in Bangladesh.
Komola Rong er Bodh is more than a biography, it’s a poetic exploration of loss, identity, and artistic struggle.
The play invites audiences to look beyond the verses and discover the human behind the poetry.
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