Evenings shared with Bangla natok
Revisiting the golden age of Bangla natok takes us back to a scene where the entire family gathers around the television to experience quality time together. The rush of finishing all the chores prior to the airing time and calling friends and relatives to know about a missed episode’s gossip – all these happenings belong to a sacred box of nostalgia hidden in our hearts. From Humayun Ahmed’s enthralling stories to Abul Hayat’s heartwarming portrayals, the magic of Bangla natok stays evergreen.
When we reminisce about the 1980s-2000s, the golden age of Bangladeshi television comes to mind. Starting from “Bohubrihi”, a classic sitcom by Humayun Ahmed depicting a vivid portrayal of ordinary lives, to “Nokkhotrer Raat”, which showed us the way of finding happiness even during tragic times, these shows have built the foundation for popular Bangla series. The most celebrated natok of Humayun Ahmed, “Kothao Keu Nei”, brought forth the legendary character Baker Bhai, whose on-screen fate provoked emotionally charged protests across the streets, reflecting the deep connection viewers had with the era’s storytelling.
The sparks of the golden age were reignited by directors like Mustafa Sarowar Farooqi through shows that celebrated strong female characters, youth friendship, and political stigmas. For instance, “Bachelor Point” became well-known for its portrayal of the lives of chaotic roommates, while “69” explored the coming-of-age family drama and sisterhood among four sisters.
However, it is inevitable that the magic of storytelling seems to be lost amidst the decline of long-running Bangla natok as they are getting replaced by short dramas, mostly streamed on YouTube. Mahi Binte Mahbub (Senior, CSE) reminisced about the good old days, saying, “I remember waiting for a new Bangla Natok every Eid evening to watch with my family. Nowadays, it has all become a distant memory.” The young generation finds more comfort running back to American sitcoms and thrillers due to their easy availability and high budget. production. Maybe the magic of old storytelling cannot be recreated, but once in a while, reminiscing about the old days brings back layers of comfort and happiness to our souls.
