The Shilpakala Academy in Chittagong was abuzz with the footsteps of the theatre enthusiasts on Monday as Uttaradhikar, a theatre group of the port city, staged the play "Mrittu Pakhi” at the auditorium on the second day of the five-day theatre festival organised by The Daily Star as part of its "Odommo Chattagram” celebra-

The play portrays the brutality of Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators during the Liberation War in 1971. It also showed how the anti-liberation forces gained ground in independent Bangladesh.

The story zooms in on Kundeshwary Bhaban, which was a sanctuary for the homeless. Principal Nutan Chandra Sinha was the man behind the establishment.

Nutan Chandra gave shelter to the helpless people during the Liberation War. When they were leaving the country they requested Nutan to go with them, but he declined to leave his motherland. One day the Pakistani army ransacked the Kundeshwary Bhaban. They were guided by the local collaborators.

The army was at first pleased with the philanthropic activities of Natun Chandra. But their collaborators misled them and insisted that they kill Nutan Chandra, saying that he was a collaborator of India. The Pakistani army then brutally killed him. Their torture was so inhumane that not only people but also the birds taking shelter on the trees fled the scene.

Tanvir Ahmed Sidney wrote and Moslem Uddin Sikder directed the play.

Saiful Islam, a viewer, said that he was fascinated by the performances of the artistes of Uttaradhikar. The play reminded

him of the brutality of the Pakistani army and their local collaborators.

Stage designer of the play was Ali Ahmed Mukul; music director was Mainuddin Kohei; choreographer was Proma Abonti and music direc-

tor was Sanjit Roy.

The cast included Asit Das Pulak, Jahedul Alam, Rajiul Hasan, Majharul Alam Titumir, Mahmud Russel, Gias Uddin, Bitu Bhowmik and Abhijit Sengupta.