The much-anticipated play Pulsiraat was staged at the Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Bangladesh Mahila Samity in the capital on Saturday. Presented by the popular theatre troupe Prachyanat, this production marks the play's return after a long break.
Pulsiraat adapts Palestinian writer Ghassan Khanafani’s renowned novel Men in the Sun. Scripted by Monirul Islam and translated by Masumul Alam, the play is directed by Kazi Toufiqul Islam Emon. It follows the struggles of three Palestinian refugees—Abu Kayes, Asad, and Marwan—who seek escape from the hardships of refugee camps in Iraq to find work in Kuwait during the oil boom. They arrange to be smuggled across the desert by a driver named Abul Khaijuran, facing indifference and humiliation in their desperate journey. The refugees’ journey, hiding in the back of a truck and a stifling, empty water tank at checkpoints, unfolds with gripping tension, portraying the intense heat and uncertainty they endure.
The cast includes prominent actors Azad Abul Kalam, Shahriar Sajeeb, Monirul Islam Rubel, Saiful Islam Journal, and Chetona Rahman, who deliver powerful performances that bring to life the themes of endurance and survival amid adversity.
The staging of Pulsiraat at Bangladesh Mahila Samity is met with praise for its compelling narrative, emphasizing the harsh realities faced by refugees. The performance stands out as a thought-provoking and impactful addition to the theatre’s repertoire, resonating deeply with audiences.
