10-day ‘Bangla Natya Utsab’ begins Monday

A scene from the drama ‘Nilakhyan’ of Mahakal Natya Sampraday. Prothom Alo File Photo
A scene from the drama ‘Nilakhyan’ of Mahakal Natya Sampraday. Prothom Alo File Photo

A 10-day drama festival will be kicked off in the capital on Monday, aiming to present Bangla drama as a linkage between the Bangla-speaking people and make theatre an awareness-raising medium to influence social and cultural landscapes.

The gala titled ‘Bangla Natya Utsab’ is being organised to celebrate with festivities the three-era completion of Mahakal Natya Sampraday, a theatre circle, reports BSS.

The festival will screen Bangla dramas from Bangladesh and three other Bangla-speaking states of neighbouring India.

A total of 31 dramas, including five dramas from West Bengal, Tripura and Assam, would be staged at the main auditorium of Jatiyo Natyashala of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Bangladesh Mahila Samity and Dania Studio Theatre Hall.

Chief whip of India’s Tripura state government Kalyani Roy, Bangladesh’s cultural personalities Ramendra Majumder and Ataur Rahman will inaugurate the festival at the Jatiyo Natyashala auditorium at 6:00pm on Monday.

State minister for cultural affairs KM Khalid will be chief guest at the programme while Golam Kuddus, Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre director Nipa Chowdhury and Kamal Bayjid will be present.

Former president of Mahakal Natya Sampraday and ruling Awami League information research secretary Afzal Hossain will preside over the programme.

‘Bhabical Theatre’ from Assam, ‘Adong Amra Theatre Group’ and ‘Raghunathganj Theatre Group’ from West Bengal, ‘Shubham Natya Chakra and Learners’ Theatre’ from Tripura would participate in the festival.

Mahakal Natya Sampraday, Deshnatok, Prachyanat, Theatre Art Unit, Natya Chakra, Bunan Theatre, Shabdo Natya Charcha Kendra, Arannok Natyadal, Theatre Circle, Munshiganj, Dhaka Theatre, Batikram Natya Goshthi, Natya Tirtha, Natyam Reprtory, Lok Natya Dal (Banani), Samay, Nagarik Natyangyan Ansamble, Battola, Anurag Theatre, Chandrakala Theatre, Nabanat, Padatik Natya Sangsad (TSC), Putul Natya Research Centre, Kathak, Natyayodhha and Bangla Natyadal of Bangladesh would take part in the programme.