Tamalika to take Mamunur Rashid’s ‘Omanush’ to US stage

Actress Tamalika Karmaker is set to make her stage debut in the United States with “Omanush”, written by noted playwright and director Mamunur Rashid.

The play, produced by Suchona Theatre and directed by Jannatul Tumpa, will be staged at 5:30 pm on October 4 at the Nannie J Lee Recreation Center (Lee Center) on Jefferson Street in Alexandria, Virginia.

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Written about 31 years ago, “Omanush” explores social decay and various contradictions in society. For Tamalika, performing the play in the United States carries an added sense of responsibility, given her long association with Mamunur Rashid and his theatre group Aranyak.

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“I feel a greater sense of responsibility with ‘Omanush’. Despite all the challenges, I have to perform well. No matter how experienced an actress I become, every time I step onto the stage, I have to face a new test before the audience,” Tamalika said.

“Theatre is not merely a medium of entertainment; it is a sharp tool of class struggle. Knowing the audience’s reaction directly after performing on stage has become an addiction for me. I want to immerse myself in that feeling again and again,” she said.

Tamalika has worked across television, film and theatre. Her television credits include “Kon Kanoner Phool”, “Kothao Keu Nei” and “Sharabela”, while she also drew attention for her performance in the film “Onno Jibon”.

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Mamunur Rashid later invited her to join Aranyak. She made her stage debut with the troupe in 1992 in “Pathor”, written by Mamunur Rashid and directed by Azizul Hakim.

She subsequently appeared in Aranyak productions including “Mayur Singhasan”, “Joy Joyonti”, “Rarang”, “Shotrugon”, “Uparwala”, “Bhangabhanga”, “The Jubilee Hotel”, “Iblish”, “Helakhela” and “Prakritojon Kotha”.

Tamalika has been living in the United States for several years. Her upcoming performance marks her first stage appearance there.