December 22, 2014 at A Season of Bangla Drama in London.
Shah Abdul Karim Karim was born in a remote area of Sunamganj in Bangladesh where the low lands are submerged with water for much of the year. With no formal education, Karim’s life has been focussed around the land, the water and nature. In his quest to seek out truths about himself and his creator, his songs explore the manmade structure of the boat as a metaphor for the self and how to navigate safely through life. In this play, the body is compared to a rented boat from a merchant (i.e. the almighty, infinity) which has be rowed correctly to it’s ultimate destination in order to be returned in good order. Human existence is a journey with numerous perils and challenges and the good character of the protagonist is also depicted through Karim’s stand against bigotry and social discrimination, in keeping with the Baul tradition of celebrating spirituality and moral strength.
Cast and Production Team
Design and direction: Sudip Chakroborthy
Production: Subachan Nattya Sangsad, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Actors: Gias Uddin Ahmed, Mohammad Ansar Ali, Md. Amirul Islam, ASM Asadul Islam, Sonia Hassan, Tanvir Ahmed Bhuyan, Shah Salauddin, Md Imran Hossain, Md Sohel Khan, Muhammad Fazlul Huq, Md Imtiaj Shawons Reza.