TBT Report

Jail based drama is going to start for the first time in the country with the aim of positive development in the mentality of the prisoners. Through which a drama based on Bangabandhu’s ‘unfinished Memories’ will be staged in jail. And the prisoners will also act in it.

It will be conducted under the supervision of Israfil Shaheen, Dhaka University Professor of Theater and Performance Studies. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Prisons have given permission for this research work for three years. Work on the project will begin in the last week of this month (November) at the Bangladesh Central Jail (Keraniganj). Then on February 21 next year, Munir Chowdhury’s play ‘Kabar’ will be staged with the participation of inmates inside 68 prisons in Bangladesh. Similarly, inmates in different jails of the country will stage special dramas based on Bangabandhu’s ‘Unfinished Autobiography’ and ‘Karagarer Rojnamcha’. In addition, an initiative has been taken to serve the brutal murder of four national leaders on the day of Jail Murder with the inmates inside the jail. Dr. Israfil Shaheen along with the country’s eminent drama teachers, instructors, M.Phil-Ph.D researchers in various fields including drama, art, literature and selected cultural activists from the region will participate in this activity.

In this context Dr. Israfil Shaheen said, “Drama staging, music performance, recitation of poems, dance, storytelling, sports, etc. will have a positive effect on the minds of the prisoners and will help them to return to normal life after their release.”

I think the human qualities of a criminal will be developed through group drama and cultural activities in the closed environment of the prison. This will allow the detainee to realize through the process of self-reflection what he has done wrong and how to correct himself. ‘ In the first week of December, the inaugural function of this research project and cultural activities will be held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University or Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak will be present on the occasion along with State Minister for Culture KM Khalid, Secretary of the Department of Security Services Shahiduzzaman and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor. Md. Akhtaruzzaman.