Theatre troupe Shunno—a Theatre Space will bring its production ‘Som-Sar’ back to the stage with three performances over two days at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital on September 5 and 6.

The production, based on Jibanananda Das’s first novel, “Malyaban”, will be staged at the academy’s Studio Theatre Hall at 5pm and 7:30pm on September 5, followed by a 7pm show on September 6.

The play premiered at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in July this year. Its upcoming performances will mark a return to the venue less than two months after its inaugural staging.

“Malyaban” was published in book form in 1970, 16 years after Das’s death. The novel presents a bleak psychological portrait of the troubled marriage between Malyaban and his wife, Utpala.

The novel has often been interpreted as reflecting autobiographical elements from Das’s own marriage to Labanya Das. Such readings, however, remain part of literary interpretation rather than established biographical fact.

Khandaker Rakibul Haque has edited the stage adaptation, developed its theatrical approach and directed the production. Shahzada Samrat Chowdhury and Yagasini Mou portray Malyaban and Utpla respectively.

Discussing the adaptation, Haque said critics have often viewed “Malyaban” as a reflection of Das’s personal life. The production, however, approaches the narrative as a work created by the poet rather than directly dramatising his biography.

While the novel largely presents the story through Malyaban’s perspective, the stage production seeks to give equal weight to the perspectives of both husband and wife, Haque said.