Ethic celebrates 100th staging of Utpal Dutt’s ‘Hari Phatibe’

Ethic Theatre marked the 100th staging of its production of Utpal Dutt’s “Hari Phatibe” with a special programme at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on Saturday.

Titled “Hari Phatibe Shotok Sandhya”, the August 22 event featured the 100th performance of the play, along with a music session and a photo exhibition documenting its journey. The programme began at 7pm.

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The production, Ethic’s first, was originally staged in 2010. The theatre group’s official website records its inaugural staging on May 22, 2010, at Bangladesh Mohila Samity Auditorium. The production was subsequently revived in a new form, with Mintu Sarder directing the new version.

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The 100th staging was attended by theatre personalities Ramendu Majumdar and Abul Hayat. Ethic president Rezanur Rahman presided over and hosted the programme, with Mahbuba Parvin assisting as co-host.

As part of the celebration, 100 people who had been associated with the production over the past 16 years—in acting, backstage work, design and sponsorship—were presented with commemorative honours. Sukorna Hasan and Mintu Sarder, who have performed in every staging, received special “100 out of 100” recognition. Moni Kanchan was also honoured as the production’s longest-standing sponsor, according to the organisers.

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The cast for the 100th staging comprised Hasan Rizvi, Bhabna Hasan, Sukorn Hasan, Tarek Chowdhury Rimon, Moni Kanchan, Afnan Apsara, Azim Uddin, Pradip Kumar, Abir Babu, Nahid Munna, Rubel Khan and Mintu Sarder. Thandu Raihan handled the lighting design.

Speaking about the production, Sarder said Dutt’s play continues to reflect the moral failures present across different layers of society. He said the enduring relevance of its story had allowed Ethic to continue staging it over the years.

“‘Hari Phatibe’ is a mirror of society,” Sarder said. “Even after all these years, the play has lost none of its appeal. Even in today’s civilised society, it seems to reflect the present time.”

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Sarder said Ethic first staged the play in 2010 and that he later took responsibility for presenting it in a new form. He described the story as the production’s “life” and said reaching its 100th staging was a particularly gratifying experience.

Ethic was established in 2009 and describes itself as short for “Esho Theater Kori”. “Hari Phatibe” is listed by the group as its first stage production.