THEATRE COMPLEX, SYLHET, BANGLADESH

The region, which is now called greater Bengal, came under in昀氀uence of Aryan culture during the 4th century AD. Under the Gupta rule Bengal had a 昀氀ourishing economy which led to the rise of a few urban centers where Sanskrit plays were pelformed. Important among them was a Sanskrit play by Chandragornin entitled Lokiinanda.

BRITISH RULE

In medieval period Sanskrit theatre was in low ebb. Later on its practice continued until in the late 19th century when it became extinct because of the advent of European dramaturgy (Ahmed, 1995).

PAKISTAN PERIOD

Bangladesh was then a province of Pakistan having the name east Pakistan. Being a land of Muslim majority, now the Muslim playwrights and directors had a favourable atmosphere to prove their mettle.

IN 1952 THE LANGUAGE MOVEMENT

The upheaval that started in 1952 continued to shake East Pakistan ,afterwards and drama became the medium of protest, either subtly or boldly, against West Pakistan’s suppressive rule. A year after the language movement, on 21 February 1953, ‘Kabar’, a play by Munir Chowdhury.

BANGLADESH PERIOD

In post-liberation Bangladesh, theatre gained unprecedented momentum. The sense of newly gained freedom inspired the dramatists to utilize this medium in every way possible. They began to experiment with new ideas and techniques, but their main objective was to bring about a social change. As there was no bar on theatre practices any more, hundreds of theatre groups. emerged and worked with exuberant vitality. Theatre became a regular affair, although not professional.