Theatre troupe Porisor Art Centre premiered its third theatre production titled ‘Juju: Julekhar Juachakki’ depicting the oppression of women in the patriarchal society at the TSC of Dhaka University on Sunday.
The play, written by poet and playwright Choyon Khairul Habib, has been designed and directed by Junaid Eusuf.
In the play, the characters Julekha and Behula represent oppressed women in different eras.
The play begins with an old man who takes care of his two grandchildren both of whom are named Julekha. When the British army invades the village, he flees without his two grandchildren. Julekha becomes a sex worker and meets Yusuf.
In another story, Behula wants to know why her father-in-law Chand Shadagar does not worship Manasa. Chand Shadagar answers that he will not worship Manasa because he is in love with the goddess who took the lives of all of his sons.
In another story set in contemporary society, Julekha works as a reporter at a TV channel. Her friend Yusuf is a police officer who works as a broker at night. She is gradually manipulated by influential people in society.
When the country is affected by unprecedented flooding, they travel to a hilly area on a boat. They snatch the hilly area from the native people and the play moves forward.
Rubaiya Manjur, Taslima Akter, Romel Mahmud, Mijanur Rahman and Mokhlesur Rahman Khan played different characters in the play.
The background music was designed by Rabiul Islam Shashi.
‘The play portrays the condition of women in the patriarchal society of today. I hope that the audience will be able to relate to the characters in the play. We staged it as part of Nandan Bishwamela 2024,’ said Junaid Eusuf.  Â
Porisor Art Centre will stage the play at the same venue today.
