Organized by the Rangpur Natya Forum, the week-long theater festival began on August 8 and will continue until August 14, featuring various plays and artistic productions staged by different theater groups.
One of the major attractions of the festival was the acclaimed solo play ‘Bhasane Ujan’, performed by Dhaka-based theater group Vivekananda Theatre. A special performance of the play was held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 13, at the auditorium of the Rangpur Shilpakala Academy. The auditorium came alive with an overflowing audience. A large number of theater activists, cultural personalities, and enthusiastic spectators were present to enjoy the performance.
Based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s famous short story ‘The Gentle Spirit’, the play was written by Apurba Kumar Kundu. Shubhashish Dutta Tanmoy directed the production. Acclaimed actor Md. Ershad Hasan performed the entire play as the sole actor, captivating the audience on stage.
Centered around a single actor, ‘Bhasane Ujan’ explores the inner turmoil of human beings, loneliness, love, the complexities of relationships, and the profound crisis of existence. Through his voice, physical expressions, emotions, and multifaceted acting, Ershad Hasan single-handedly creates an expansive theatrical world on stage. His natural and powerful performance deeply impressed the audience.
With the Rangpur performance, ‘Bhasane Ujan’ completed its 10th show. The milestone generated additional interest and expectations among theater activists and audiences. At the end of the performance, the auditorium resonated with spontaneous applause and appreciation from the spectators.
Meanwhile, in recognition of his special contribution to theater, actor Md. Ershad Hasan was presented with the Theater Festival Honor by the ‘36 July Rangpur Divisional Theater Festival’. Receiving the honor, he expressed his gratitude to the organizers. Those involved believe that this recognition at the theater festival will provide him with new inspiration in his acting career.
The stage coordination between director Shubhashish Dutta Tanmoy and actor Ershad Hasan has enabled ‘Bhasane Ujan’ to transcend the conventional limitations of a solo performance. The multifaceted portrayal of human emotions, relationships, and inner conflicts within the limited space of the stage is one of the production’s greatest strengths.
According to the organizers, the ‘36 July Rangpur Divisional Theater Festival 2026’ has brought new vitality to Rangpur’s cultural arena. Through this week-long event, a new bridge is being created between theater practitioners and audiences. At the same time, those involved believe that such an initiative will play an important role in further strengthening theater practice in Rangpur.