Making a special return to the theatre for the first time in six years, popular actor Chanchal Chowdhury is all set to enthrall his audience once again for an exclusive staging of Aranyak Natyadal’s popular play “Rarang” at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Thursday.

The National Award-winning actor will take part in the 199th and 200th shows of "Rarang" at BSA’s Experimental Theatre Hall on Thursday ( November 17) and Friday ( November 18), which will mark his first stage performance after 2016 when he last performed in Aranyak’s “Che’r Cycle”.

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Talking to UNB about making his long-awaited comeback to the stage, Chanchal Chowdhury said, "Not appearing on stage on a regular basis does not imply that I am not involved with theatre activities. I started my career as a part of Aranyak, and I've always considered the stage as my home where I belong. As it will be my first time on stage in a long time, it brings me immense joy.”

Chanchal Chowdhury started his career on stage before making a name for himself in television and movies. After getting admitted to Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Art as a student, he joined the Aranyak Natyadal theatre group and garnered acclaim for his performances in "Rarang" and "Songkranti," two of Aranyak’s most popular presentations.

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“I have performed in more than 150 shows of “Rarang” in my career, but it’s true that nowadays I cannot regularly take part in shows due to other commitments. It takes months to prepare for a new production, and theatre is such a place which deserves adequate time and attention. Although I cannot take part in theatre now on a regular basis, I try to attend whenever I can.”

Eminent thespian, playwright and director Mamunur Rashid's play "Rarang" explores the uprising of the Santal community—an indigenous minority population living in the country's northern region—against the persecution of the British authority. The word “Rarang” is a Santal word meaning "a cry to rise," and the play's narrative recounts the life of Alfred Soren, a legendary leader of the Santals who died a heroic death defending his community from British tyranny.

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Marking its 50-year celebration next year, Aranyak Natyadal will organise a special drama festival from January 24-February 1, according to the theatre group.