'Shakuntala' by Bhabna premiered at Shilpakala

Bhabna, a dancing troupe has premiered their new production 'Shakuntala' under the auspices of the story and play 'Abhigyan Shakuntalam' of the poet Kalidas at National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the city's Segun Bagicha area yesterday.  Using songs of Nazrul; it is an exceptional concept to portray the work "Abhigyan Shakuntalam" through a dance drama, adding a new dimension to the Bengali culture.   Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor was present a chief guest in the inaugural ceremony of the dance drama.

Samina Husain Prema, the director of Bhabna , is an ardent dancer has evolved as a young and talented choreographer. This dance drama achieved its rhythms under the relentless and fine direction of Prema. Choreography of the dance drama is adopted from songs of Kazi Nazrul Islam and various classical dance forms are used, where Manipuri being the primary basis. The entire dance drama is a fusion of various classical forms including folk styles. For the Manipuri part Prema bestows all credits to Smt. Kalavati Devi, a legendary exponent of Manipuri dance. The painstaking task of scripting and narration has been accomplished by Alomoy Biswas. Behind the direction and composition of music a master's touch has been given by Sumon Sarkar from Kolkata.

Famous Bangladeshi singer Khairul Anam Shakil and Priyanka Gope put in their artistry to compose the entire part of Nazrulgeeti. A group of young talented singers of Bangladesh have passionately given their voice in chorus part. Young talented Indian artists Sirsho Roy, Suman Sarkar & Dona Das Sarkar gave their voice for classical song. The eminent and accomplished elocutionists of both Bangladesh and Kolkata have lent their voices to compliment the entire dance drama. They are: Jayanto Chattopadhyay, Dahlia Ahmed, Shimul Mostofa, Tamanna Tithi, Debashish Chakrabortty, Jayonta Das. Famous designer Tahsina Shahin has given her endless effort to fulfil Prema's concept of costume.  The organizers said the entire dance drama is a fusion of various classical forms including folk styles.

In the year 2007 Bhabna embarked on its journey from Dhanmondi, Road no. 7 under the combined efforts of Zeenat Afroza and Samina Husain Prema. After inception; Bhabna so far has progressed solely under the competent directions of Samina Husain Prema. Zeenat Afroza remains as a vital advisor for Bhabna. The primary objective of Bhabna is to expand the role of our rich cultural heritage by retaining the classical dance forms and applying these to Nazrul and Tagorean style of dances. Bhabna also worked on other dance forms such as Folk, Rayebeshe - a martial dance form and Contemporary dances.