Contemporary Theatre Design in Bangladesh

Curatorial Notes: Contemporary Theatre Design in Bangladesh

Curator: Faiz Zahir

Bangladesh’s urban theatre space enmeshes the traditional art with colonial legacy. In 21stcentury, urban theatre design reflects practices of East and the West. Even Rabindranath Tagore (Bengali Nobel Laureate of 1913), the towering literary and theatre maker of modern times, garnered centuries-old theatre practices in Bengal with western theatre elements, thus givingbirth to modern Bengali theatre in late 19th century with continued influence till today.

Theater design in modern Bangladesh plays an indispensable role in shaping the visual and spatial dynamics of stage productions, immersing audiences in political realism, folk traditions, and symbolist depiction of the world. In the past fifty years since its political independence in 1971, Bangladeshi theatre experimented with traditional theatre forms and practices from other theatre cultures. In Bangladesh, three notable figures—Shaiful Islam, Faiz Zahir, and ABS Xem—have made significant contributions to the craft, shaping the way theater is experienced across various prominent troupes like Prachyanat and Aranyak Natyadal. Shaiful and Faiz are contemporaries who began their design career in the mid-eighties, while ABS Xem began his design apprenticeship in the late nineties. Together, these three designers represent some of the most prominent design works in Bangladesh theatre.

Shaiful Islam (b. 1965): Conceptual and Visual Narratives
As a key member of theater group Prachyanat, Shaiful Islam is renowned for his conceptual approach to stage design. His work seamlessly integrates symbolism, minimalism, and bold use of space, creating environments that enhance the narrative and deepen the emotional impact of performances. Islam’s designs frequently emphasize the interaction between actors and their surroundings, transforming static stage elements into active participants in the drama. This synergy between design and performance reflects Prachyanat’s experimental ethos.

In productions such as Koinna (2001), a play exploring themes of identity and displacement, and Raja Ebong Onnanno(2008), which delves into socio-political issues—Islam blends modernist and traditional elements, often utilizing indigenous materials and forms. His recent works, Agunjatra (2022) and Achalayatan (2023), further showcase his ability to merge modernist concepts with traditional aesthetics, creating immersive environments that resonate with Bangladesh audiences, who have rich cultural experience. Islam’s aesthetic merges the intellectual with the visceral, offering a multi-layered experience that enriches the storytelling.

 

 

Faiz Zahir (1962): Theatrical Realism and Sustainable Design
A stalwart of Aranyak, one of Bangladesh’s oldest and most respected theater groups, Faiz Zahir is celebrated for his commitment to realism and detailed craftsmanship in set and lighting design. Zahir’s work focuses on creating authentic environments that ground socially and politically charged productions. His designs are immersive, providing a tangible context in which actors can bring stories of struggle, resistance, and human resilience to life. One of the most important aspects of Faiz’s design philosophy is that he strongly favours sustainable materials and promotes ecologically friendly design in his productions. Bringing sustainability is both complex and tedious process as Faiz often has to travel to unknown territory to find his desired materials. Every journey for finding the right material is a quest for new shape, new color, new texture. He loves this volatility of his search, which often ends in surprising findings.

Productions like Koibortogatha (2019), which addresses themes of cultural and historical identity, and Nankar Pala (2023), a dramatic portrayal of historical figures and societal issues – showcase Zahir’s ability to craft atmospheres that reflect the time and socio-political context of the narratives. His more recent works, such as Major (2020), highlight his continued dedication to realism and detailed design, further enriching theatrical performances. Zahir’s designs strike a balance between functionality and artistry, making them an integral part of contemporary Bangladeshi theatre.

 

 

ABS Xem (b. 1985): Multidimensional Theatre Design
ABS Xem is a versatile artist whose contributions span multiple disciplines, including acting, directing, set design, and music direction. A postgraduate in fine arts from the University of Dhaka, Xem’s career is distinguished by his integration of design practice, performance art, visual media, and music.

Xem’s directorial work demonstrates a seamless integration of visual aesthetics with musical composition, creating captivating and multisensory experiences for audiences. His deep understanding of the interplay between music and theater allows him to direct both theatrical and musical aspects of his productions, enhancing the narrative and emotional depth. His innovative set and prop designs blend artistic vision with practical functionality, spanning both traditional theater environment and street performance. ABS Xem is also actively involved in arts education at different theatre schools, where he mentors emerging talents. His multidimensional approach to theater – blending acting, music, and design – continues to influence the artistic landscape in Bangladesh.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

Shaiful Islam and Faiz Zahir represent two distinct yet complementary pillars of Bangladeshi theater design. Islam’s avant-garde approach challenges traditional visual storytelling, inviting audiences to engage with deeper, abstract layers of a production. Faiz Zahir, with his continued commitment to political realism, grounds his work in tangible, immersive worlds that reinforce the socio-political narratives central to many plays he has designed in the past forty years. ABS Xem further enriches this landscape with his multidimensional approach, seamlessly blending acting, music, and design. Together, their works have profoundly shaped Bangladeshi theater, setting new standards for innovation and craftsmanship.

CATEGORIES :   Bangladesh National