Summer Festival 2023: Rohim Badsha Rupban - The Ballad of a Bengali Oedipus

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).

Go behind the scenes with Ahmed here.