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Looking back with Shankar Sawjal

Out of sight but not out of mind

Ershad Kamol
REMEMBER Shankar Sawjal, playing the character of a frustrated individual in the play Swapner Shahar? Or the evergreen song Bhalo Aachhi Bhalo Theko that he sang in the same role? Though Shankar Sawjal's, presence on screen is very limited now, however, he rode the wave of popularity in the early 1990s for his bold appearance in such complex roles.
The Creative Director of Asiatic Marketing Company Limited, Sawjal is now in the midst of putting together several social awareness building programmes. He says, ' Presently I do not perform on stage. However, in the coming winter, I will make a comeback along with my group--Karok. Firstly, we will stage patha natok (street theatre).'
Looking back at his varied cultural career, Sawjal says, 'I started my cultural activities with udichi from 1972. I introduced Barisal, Pirojpur, Barguna Branches of udichi. Later, I fell out with some of the organisers of the organisation. That is why I established my own group Karok in 1983. However, I still appreciate udichi's progressive principles based on our Liberation War.'
'In those days, Karok basically staged patha natok in the different parts of the country to spread public awareness on important social issues. I introduced a new trend in patha natok. Our productions were basically based on rural music like Jari, Shari and others. That is why this trend was immensely popular. And we played a vital role in the cultural movement against the then military ruler.
Nirbashon Danda is our only stage play. I am the director as well as the dramatist of the play. Nirbashon Danda is unlike a typical theatre. It is basically a rural music-based production. Karok
arranges programmes to spread the importance of our Liberation War and Language Movement amongst the children on December 16 and February 21 respectively,' Shankar adds.
Shankar is more keen on staging patha natok than stage plays. In his words, 'I am reluctant to continue stage plays, as this medium has a minimal impact on our national life. Several theatrical groups have been delivering very important messages through their productions. However, the audience response to the social messages is limited. Further, the number of theatergoers is minuscule and belongs to a certain class. Moreover, we cannot accurately represent our culture through the stage plays. Though some of the theatre practitioners claim that they are trying to find our roots through stage plays, I think that it is quite impossible. It is because the 'Theatre Concept' is not our own. Our original performing art forms are Jatra, Pala Gaan and others. Alienated from its origins no nation can enrich its culture. That is why, we are trying to stage patha natok, because in this particular art form there is a huge scope to present our decaying indigenous rural art forms. And through patha natok we can easily communicate with the masses.'
Shankar is very selective about his roles in TV drama. He says, 'It is not that I appear infrequently because of my involvement with my job. Script is the most important element in play selection. If I get a chance to perform in quality plays, I would be more than glad to do so. Recently, I have performed in three TV plays-- Kaajlar Ghate, Golabari, and Agni Utsab.'
Of late, Shankar has been involved with films and is keen to emerge as a filmmaker.
Aly Zaker and Ayesha Akhtar are his two favourite artistes.