“Take me to the very heart of the life of those wise horned beings who understand the mysteries of light and shadow, and whose lives are intimately acquainted with the currents of rivers…” — Ahmed Sofa’s Prayer to an old banyan tree is a philosophical exploration of the profound relationship between nature, life and humanity.
The poem was brought to the stage through recitation and an evocative stage design by the recitation artists of Charukontha Recitation Association.
The performance was held on Wednesday (26 August) at the Music, Dance and Recitation Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, drawing a full house that remained engaged throughout the presentation.
The production explored the worldview of people who understand the language of nature, their lived experiences and their deep connection with the land.
Images such as those who fear an impending flood when they see a rainbow in the eastern sky, and those who recognise the pain of parched fields from the sight of grey, water-laden clouds, highlighted the profound interdependence between nature and human life.
The performance ultimately arrived at an anticipation of rain, echoing Sofa’s vision of nature as both a source of anxiety and hope.
The recitation featured G M Morshed, Anwar Parvez, Farzana Rozy, Padmabati Devi, Sultana Parveen Shimul and Safin Murad.
Anwar Parvez directed the production, while G M Morshed handled the stage design and Farzana Rozy worked on the costume design.
Wahid Ansar Hillol was responsible for the background music and lighting arrangement, with Kaisur Rahman handling light projection.
Julkar Nayeen worked on photography, Samir Sound managed sound control and Safin Murad handled publicity.
Prashanta Adhikari managed the production, while Professor Niranjan Adhikari served as production adviser. Tripurna supplied the costumes.
The reception and auditorium management team included Jhinuk Haldar, Foyez Ahmed, Sumaiya Mahjabeen Tithi, Jesmin Ara Said Deepa, Masum Ahmed, Gulshan Ara Luna, Tabassum Munni, Main Uddin, Parvez Hossain Prince, Asma Maliha, Farah Jabin, M. Mubashshirul Haque, Zahirul Islam, Md Farid Alam, Ishtakur Rahman, Ishor Dulon, Mahmudul Hasan, Md Badsha and Bireshwar T Bijoy.
Following the performance, an audience member suggested that Sofa’s poetry collections Jallad Samay and Dukkhodin-er Doha could also be adapted for similar productions and expressed interest in finding out whether such works have been staged elsewhere.
The performance of Prayer to an old banyan tree offered audiences an opportunity to revisit Ahmed Sofa’s reflections on nature, human existence and the enduring bond between people and their surroundings through the immersive language of recitation and theatre.
