Cuttack, July 2: The torture and struggle of a woman during the Bangladesh's war of independence took centre stage on the opening day of the Theatre Olympiad here on Wednesday evening.

The artistes of Theatre Folk, an Oxford-based theatre troupe formed by Bangladeshi students in the UK with some foreign artistes, staged the play called Jamuna. It is the first time that they performed in India.

The one-hour English play was highly appreciated by the audience as it dealt with the atrocities, suffering and the pain that a woman underwent during the Liberation War of 1971. The play written by Selina Shelly and directed by Mohammad Ali Haider tried to depict what the female protagonist went through during that time.

Jamuna, a freedom fighter, is captured during the Liberation War in 1971 and is taken to an army camp. It is during this time when she undergoes mental trauma after she was repeatedly raped and tortured for several days.

The story was designed in such a way that her transformation from one scene to the other was beautifully portrayed without any glitches.

After the war, Jamuna tries to settle down in life by marrying a fellow freedom fighter and becomes a sculptor.

"It shows the struggle a woman faces throughout her life. This is our second work after Tale of Two Friends," said Mohammad Ali Haider, director.

Haider said Theatre Folk came into existence in 2010 and so far their play Jamuna has received good response in UK, Birmingham and other places.

Overall, 15 countries will be taking part in the 23rd edition of the International Theatre Olympiad organised by the Utkal Yuva Sanskrutik Sangha (UYSS).

"Groups from Russia, United Kingdom, Romania, Italy, Mexico, Iran, Bahrain and Nepal will take part in the theatre fest which will conclude on July 12," said Kartik Rath, UYSS general secretary.