Faiza Ramim

It was only yesterday that the nation watched as harmless old fakir was dragged away, lured by coaxing words, while men in gloves ignored his pleas and held him down like a disobedient animal before shaving his head – a disturbing violation of autonomy and human rights. In today’s climate, where such behaviour is displayed, encouraged, and even defended, going ahead with an event celebrating music, Sufism, and Baul sangeet was a necessary act of defiance.

Acclaimed theatre director and founder of Dhaka University’s Department of Theatre and Music, Syed Jamil Ahmed, established Spardha Independent Collective with just five members in September 2018. Among them is the notable Mohsina Akhter. A direct student of Syed Jamil Ahmed, she is simultaneously a director, performer, and costume designer. This May, she made her big-screen debut with the release of “Jaya aar Sharmin”. However, she prefers not to differentiate between mediums of storytelling. As she explains, “People who know how to swim can swim in any body of water.”

Here are a few things I learned in the one month we haven’t spoken

It’s been so long since we last spoke that I don’t think I can talk to you without confessing something. There you were, standing before me

Stay in a group, never in alleyways

a man walks into a bar but he looks like a little boy