Reading: Kutum Amar Dhandabaz (My Racketeering Relatives) by Mitali Arts Group

This play is in Sylheti Bangla. The story revolves around Mahmud who lives in England. His elderly mother resides in Bangladesh with her relatives. She is not in good health. Mahmud is also in poor health. He suffers from high blood pressure, damaged kidneys and poor heart condition.

Mahmud’s cousin Samser has looked after Mahmud’s properties in Bangladesh for many years. Samser, along with other relatives uses cunning tricks to claim shares on Mahmud’s properties.

Mahmud decided to visit Bangladesh when he found out that his mother’s health was deteriorating. While he was in England, Mahmud had been sending money to Samser to refurbish his house there. When he arrived in Bangladesh, he found that the house had not been refurbished. Samser reveals that the money was used to send a relative to England.

After Mahmud’s mother passes away, his health declines. He returns to England without resolving the problems relating to his properties.

Mitali Arts Group was formed in 1978. The group has produced many plays, both in Bangla and English. The group members are talented, semi-professional members of the performance community.

They develop their own scripts, focusing on issues relevant to the local community.