Dramas are not being allowed in Shilpakala.

The performance of Desh Natak's play 'Nityapuran' at Shilpakala Academy was stopped a few days ago. When theater workers protested, attacks were also carried out there.

Director General of Shilpakala Academy Syed Jamil Ahmed has requested Bangladesh's most senior theater artist Mamunur Rashid not to perform a play.

He said that if Mamunur Rashid acts, he may be attacked, so he has been temporarily banned from performing plays.

Instead of bringing those who want to stop the play and those who are attacking theater workers to justice, the theater workers themselves are being asked to stop the play. This will prove that the current government is supporting fundamentalist forces.

Regarding the ban on the play, Mamunur Rashid said, 'The DG of Shilpakala personally informed me about the matter so that I should not act in Shilpakala. The 200th performance of the play "Radhang" has been held. Now I am being told not to act in this play. Because, he said, a statement given by 24 prominent people during the student movement. But I recently acted in the play “Mayur Singhasan” at the Shilpakala Academy, I also acted on the stage of the Women’s Association, and there was no problem with that either. Where is the problem with the Shilpakala Academy? Of course there is a problem. The reason is that they stopped “Nityapurana”, and later they attacked me at the protest meeting. The next day we had a show, but I was forced to stop it. From then on, these words started, if I act, I will be attacked.’

Regarding Mamunur Rashid’s refraining from acting in Shilpakala, the Director General of the Academy said, ‘I personally called Mamunur Rashid and asked him to do their Rarhang play. This play needs to be done. He plays a small role in this play. I requested him if that role could be given to someone else. Because, since you said something about the Razakars during the movement, people are angry and hurt about it. If you go, the suffering of the people will increase. Therefore, if the play can be performed without you, you can see it.’

Mamunur Rashid, expressing anger at such a request not to act on stage, said, ‘Can’t I act? I have no crime, but they won’t let me act. 24 prominent people gave a statement on the Razakar slogan, and my name was there. What crime is there in that statement? Now it is being said, you speak. Can’t I say that? A time has come in Bangladesh, when a group wants art, literature and culture to stop. We have made our decision known, we will not do Radhang, we will not do “Company” either. Let it continue as long as this system continues.’