Sohini Alam

Shahana's daughter Dipa asks her tailor to stitch deep pockets on her burkha. The young waiter at the tea stall worships the ground she walks on; the maid at home revels in her affection; the widowed college teacher's heart is in turmoil. Yet her family considers her a disgrace and a menace to society.

Not every fairytale starts with the usual formula of “Once upon a time…”. However, all fairytales touch us with the power of their inherent fantasy. They blend the beautiful and the eerie into a magical world between dreams and reality. Hollywood and fairytales have developed a very special friendship that - this year - presents us with a fantastic concert experience in the land of mythical creatures.

‘Rising Silence’ is a journey of relationships between women. When society refuses to hear them, the Birangona, Heroines of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh; hold closely to tell their stories to each other and to the next generation. To never forget how as women they have refused to be diminished as they have tried to heal and overcome the ravages of conflict, violence and prejudice. To create the future with the power of unconditional love.