BotTala’s celebrated production ‘Khona’ has reached a major milestone, marking its 100th staging with a two-day cultural festival at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.
The celebration opened on Friday morning, April 10, transforming the historic venue into a vibrant cultural space combining theatre, music, craft and public engagement. The inaugural segment featured a performance titled ‘Udaybhanu Song’, directed by artist-activist Arup Rahi, setting the tone for a day dedicated to the play’s artistic journey.
Throughout the day, audiences experienced a range of performances including sarod and violin recitals, musical sessions by invited artistes and folk traditions that brought together both classical and grassroots expressions of Bangladeshi culture.
Originally penned by Samina Luthfa and directed by Mohammad Ali Haider, Khona first premiered on March 8, 2010, coinciding with International Women’s Day. Over the past 16 years, the production has travelled widely, earning recognition at home and abroad for its layered storytelling and political depth.
Alongside the performances, the festival also hosts a ‘Deshiyo Ponner Mela’ showcasing organic food, handicrafts, traditional clothing and books, curated by Prakrit Samaj. The fair was inaugurated by theatre director Mohammad Bari, with BotTala chairman Khushi Kabir delivering the welcome remarks.
The programme also included children’s cultural segments, workshops on pottery and painting, and puppet theatre performances, reflecting the festival’s inclusive approach to performance and learning. Folk traditions such as lathi khela from Tangail and musical performances by boyati groups added further texture to the event.
In the evening, multiple cultural collectives including Shomogit, Charcoal, Mavoi, Kuasha Murkho, Geetal Bangla and the Dhaka University Cultural Society performed, alongside a photography exhibition titled ‘Khona Through the Audience’s Lens’. A discussion session with researchers, critics and artists also reflected on the play’s long-standing relevance.
According to organisers, Khona continues to resonate for its exploration of gender, class and power, reinterpreting an ancient narrative through a contemporary lens.
The festival concluded today with the landmark 100th performance of the play.
