Exorcised Demon
The year 2017 was a time of a terrifying experience. I call it terrifying because you will understand the reason midway through the story.
It happened in early March 2017. At that time, Subachar Natya Sangshad staged plays like Sakur Majider Maha Jin-er Nau, Pranoy Jamuna, and Pothnatok Bodhoy. These three plays would often receive invitations every week from various districts across Bangladesh.
Maha Jan-er Nau and Pranoy Jamuna were primarily musical plays, and an important role in these plays was performed by Imtiaz, who played musical instruments like the tabla, harmonium, and drum, and sometimes acted in scenes or sang. Rehearsals were held four days a week.
One evening during a rehearsal, a brick fell from the ceiling of the rehearsal room with a loud bang. People started murmuring, wondering who threw it. Rehearsal was ongoing, and more bricks started falling one after another. Hastily, I, Atik, and Arif Bhai went outside and saw bricks falling from the ceiling, but we couldn’t trace their origin.
We nervously returned to the room. The rehearsal room was inside a school, which had been provided to us by the school authorities. After a while, the bricks slowly stopped falling. The school’s watchman went up to the ceiling and found dirt, debris, and broken pieces scattered around.
Before we could solve the mystery, Imtiaz began behaving erratically and strangely. He fell on the floor and started making hissing sounds. We tied his hands and feet and took him to the bathroom, pouring water over him. After about an hour, he returned to normal. When asked, he said he didn’t know what had happened and was completely confused.
The next day’s rehearsal was at 8 PM. As usual, Arif Bhai and I arrived and set up the musical instruments. Outside the rehearsal room, there were large trees, and from that direction, we heard cries of “Save! Save!” We ran out and saw Imtiaz sitting on his friend Imran Bhai’s chest, trying to strangle him. When we tried to stop him, he ran across the school field. I helped Imran Bhai and slowly guided him back to the room and let him drink water.
That morning, Imran Bhai explained that while they were having tea behind the school, a sudden gust of wind blew, and Imtiaz’s behavior suddenly changed. The way he tried to strangle Imran, I might have died if they hadn’t intervened. Later, we searched the school boundary but couldn’t find Imtiaz. Eventually, we went to his home. His elder brother said that he had just come home a short while ago. We went into the room and asked him, “Brother, did you do this?” Imtiaz replied that he had only come home after rehearsal and didn’t know why he would harm Imran. We all realized the problem was beyond him.
Days passed. Imtiaz became extremely weak; he seemed almost skeletal, with no sign of improvement. Months passed with no recovery. In December, invitations came from various theaters in India for the Ganga-Jamuna Natya Utsav in Kolkata, where Pranoy Jamuna was to be staged in two auditoriums.
We spoke with Imtiaz’s elder brother, who said his physical condition was very poor. He had lost his job and occasionally had episodes of this behavior. A few days earlier, he had bitten my cousin Halim. We restrained him in the room since he was unaware of his actions. Gias Bhai assured the family that Subachar would take responsibility for his treatment starting December 3 and there was no need to worry.
The next evening, all Natya Sangshad members were called to the group meeting at 7 PM. Gias Bhai informed that on December 16, the team would perform Pothnatok at Sheikh Kamal Government High School near Dhaka. Rehearsals were held on the 13th, 14th, and 15th without Imtiaz.
On December 16, the team reached the school. Two classrooms were allocated for rest and costume changes. Imtiaz was to perform the last three scenes but had no enthusiasm. Maruf Bhai, team manager, asked him, “Imtiaz, are you ready? Why not ready?” But he didn’t respond or understand.
Later, two members of the cultural organizing committee came. They informed that the play would begin after the Asr prayer. As the prayer call started, Imtiaz let out a blood-curdling scream: “Turn off the lights! Turn off the lights! Stop the sound! Stop the sound!” He fell on the floor, foaming at the mouth, emitting a foul odor. Time was short, as the play had to start immediately.
The Imam arrived and recited some verses, then sprinkled water prepared in bottles and placed four pieces of paper inscribed with Arabic text in saffron ink at the corners of the room, instructing that Imtiaz not be left alone. Following this, Imtiaz returned to normal, and the play was staged without any problem.
After the performance, the team left for Mohammadpur. Suddenly, Imtiaz started hitting Maruf Bhai’s son on the bus. People got scared and got off the bus. Arif Bhai told Imtiaz to calm down. Imtiaz then jumped and grabbed Arif Bhai. After the Imam arrived again, he recited verses inside the bus, and Imtiaz returned to normal. Thankfully, he survived.
Part 2 coming soon…
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