Summer Festival 2023: Rohim Badsha Rupban – The Ballad of a Bengali Oedipus
- Date: Monday 3 July 2023, 19:30 –
- Location: Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, Music
- Cost: £10 (general admission) and free for students
In collaboration with Saudha Society of Poetry and Indian Music and Leeds based organisation RadhaRaman Society.
A rare and exotic presentation of Bengali ancient rural theatre incorporating captivating myths, fairy-tales, visceral folk music and dazzling dance in a stunning theatrical setting. This ancient Bengali opera tells the story of Rahim, a young boy, who is destined to be married to an older girl in order to avoid a fatal curse.
Inspired by the Greek story of Oedipus this 90 minutes gripping Bengali folk ballad explores the conflict between free-will and fatalism, combining traditional Western storytelling with the captivating melodies of Bengali folk music. A performance guaranteed to transport you to a rural village of Bengal, to lie beneath its traditional storytelling spot; a Banyan tree draped in hundreds of lanterns.
Directed and performed by poet Ahmed Kaysher, this beautiful Bengali village opera features:
- Ahmed Kaysher (Story-teller)
- Sonia Sultana (Rupban)
- Sohel Ahmed (Rohim Badsha)
- Sarwar e Alam (King)
- Luzan (Tajel)
- Amith Dey (Keyboard)
- Jessy Barua (singer)
- Rahel Chowdhury (Mandira)
- Jeet Ganguly (Saint)
- Shree Ganguly (Introduction)
Please note that doors will open from 7pm. Book your ticket.
Find out more about Summer Festival 2023: Untold, Unheard and Hidden Stories.