"The fourth production of the Aarshinagar Dhaka Theatre Troupe, "Siddhartha," runs through on Tuesday, January 30 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's Experimental Theatre Hall, with seven performances planned. On Friday, January 26, the production got underway."

"Siddhartha," initially written by German-Swiss author Hermann Hesse and translated into Bangla by Zafar Alam, has been skillfully adapted and directed by Reza Arif.

The narrative revolves around Siddhartha's quest for self-discovery. Siddhartha, a young Brahman seeking wisdom and new experiences, embarks on a journey with his friend Govinda, joining the Samanas, a group of wandering ascetics, to pursue the meaning of life and truth.

After three years of rigorous ascetic practices, self-denial, fasting, and physical torture yield no satisfaction, Siddhartha departs from the Samanas. His encounter with Buddha and his teachings initially pleases him, but he rejects Buddha's discipleship, realizing that Buddhism won't provide the answers he seeks.

Siddhartha continues his search for the meaning of life after saying goodbye to Govinda. Siddhartha grows older as the play goes on and learns there is no right way to self-discovery or a universal recipe for living a fulfilling life. He finds in the river that enlightenment cannot come from accepting one thing while rejecting another.

The play features a talented cast including Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, Wahid Khan Songket, Partha Protim, Ishnain Ahmed Zim, Nazmul Sarkar Nihat, Maeen Hasan, Shahadat Noman, Jeenat Jahan Nisha, Refat Hasan Saykat, Ariful Islam Neel, Akash Tuhin, Poly Parven, Moyenuddin Babu, Jarin Chakma, Kameliya Sharmin Chura, Radifa Narmin, Azmary Jafran Roly, Progga Protiti, Emad Evan, Jitaditya Barua, Shakina Islam Eshika, and Prince Siddiqui portraying various characters in the production.