Drama-World of Syed Shamsul Haque : Narrative and Characterization (সৈয়দ শামসুল হকের নাট্যবিশ্ব : আখ্যান ও চরিত্রায়ন)

Abstract

In Bengali literature ambidexter artist Syed Shamsul Haque (1935-2016) uttered a prominent individual voice. Although he is fluent in various forms of literature including poetry, fiction, and essays, he is undisputed in writing poetic drama. He enriched the style of Bengali drama by composing modern plays in the theater of post-independence Bangladesh. He made folk culture and lifestyle the theme of his dramas under the shelter of the classical form of poetic drama. He has delighted readers and viewers by composing timeless dramas named Payer Awaz Paa Jae (1976), Gananayak (1976), Ekhane Ekhon (1981), Nuraldiner Sarajivan (1982), Irsha (1990), Naarigan (2007), Uttarbangsho (2008) etc. He is the first in the style of Bengali poetic drama, passing the prevailing trend of modern subjects and style from Rabindranath Tagore to Buddhadev Bose, to convey the complex reality of contemporary life in drama. Just as he has written successful poetic dramas using social and historical events as materials, he has also successfully presented the problems and complex thoughts of modern people in poetry. He has left his signature in Bengali drama by creating a skillful amalgamation of Eastern and Western theatrical ideas and creating an original, root-oriented theatrical language. Syed Shamsul Haque occupies a unique position in Bengali literature with the splendour, variety of writings, constant examination, society and individual-psychology and extraordinary thoughtfulness. Looking at the diversity of subjects, tradition and contemporary life consciousness, homeland and social thought, wonderful language and the physical technique of poetic drama, his poetic drama has created a unique genre in the history of Bengali drama. Appearing in the fifties, he has been active in progressive politics and social cultural movements for a long time and has been active in the arena of literature. Syed Shamsul Haque became associated with the film based on the drama. He displayed his talent in both Pakistan by producing films in Urdu language. He also wrote screenplays for movies like 'Abujh Mon', 'Mainamati', 'Madhur Milan' etc. Writing dialogues, naming above all the beliefs and culture of the common people of Bengali were the basis of his acting talent. He has gifted several timeless radio plays or television plays to the current generation of viewers and listeners. He has delighted readers and viewers by creating dramas such as adaptations of William Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Tempest, Ariel Dafman's Death and the Maiden, and Rabindranath's Chinnapatra, Banglar Mati Banglar Jal. Syed Shamsul Haque not only spread light in the vast arena of Bengali theater literature, but was devoted to the role of creator to make the mind of Bengalis modern-scientific. A visionary of the fabled art-land called 'Jaleswari', this rare gifted dramatist is aware of his homeland and contemporary times.