Theatre group Swapnadal is set to commemorate International Women’s Day with a special event in the city on March 7, featuring an award presentation alongside a performance of the monodrama “Helen Keller”.
Scheduled to kick off at 7:00 pm at the Studio Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the evening will commence with the presentation of the International Women’s Day Honour 2026 to theatre personality Shamima Shawkat Lovely by Swapnadal. Esteemed theatre personalities such as Lucky Enam, Kamal Bayezid, and Tropa Majumdar will be on hand to bestow the award.
This year, Swapnadal is honoring Women’s Day with the theme: “Celebrating the strength of womanhood to shape its own future.” Since 2012, the group has been marking International Women’s Day to acknowledge the significant contributions of women in both the theatrical realm and society.
Previous recipients of this honor include Ferdousi Majumdar, Shimul Yousuff, Lucky Enam, Nuna Afroz, Irin Parvin Lopa, Sadhona Ahmed, Tropa Majumdar, Rokeya Rafique Baby, Momena Chowdhury, Asma Akhter Liza, Jayita Mahalanobish, and Hridi Huq. Additionally, Swapnadal has recognized the female members of the troupe and the mothers of regular theatre artists.
Following the award ceremony, the evening’s program will proceed with the monodrama “Helen Keller,” commencing at 7:30 pm. The play, featuring a solo act by Juana Sobnom, is written by Apurba Kumar Kundu and directed by Zahid Repon.
The production delves into Keller’s remarkable journey as a deafblind individual who conquered formidable obstacles with unwavering determination and the guidance of her teacher Anne Sullivan. It also delves into her encounters with prominent personalities such as Charlie Chaplin, Mark Twain, John F Kennedy, and Albert Einstein, while emphasizing the impact of Rabindranath Tagore on her philosophical beliefs.
The play underscores themes of women’s empowerment, humanism, and Keller’s advocacy against war, violence, racism, and nuclear armaments. Stage and lighting design are helmed by Fazle Rabbi Sukarna, with production management overseen by Shakhawat Shyamal.
This occasion will mark the 62nd performance of “Helen Keller” by Swapnadal, underscoring the group’s enduring dedication to socially aware theatre in Bangladesh.