It once seemed that jatra, a very old and traditional form of entertainment of the country, is at the verge of becoming extinct due to both people’s and government’s negligence in the new era of high-tech forms of entertainment.
But to the joy of jatra lovers, ministry of cultural affairs has taken a commendable initiative to give a reviving impetus to this form of entertainment. Jatrashilpka Unnayan Neetimala 2012 has been devised with this very objective.
In order to implement the idea, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, under the aegis of ministry of cultural affairs, has arranged two jatra festivals this year where a jury judged performances of several troupes and, eventually, decided to give permission for registration to 13 troupes across the country.
On Saturday, the troupes received their registration certificates. Secretary of Cultural Affairs Ministry Dr Ranajit Kumar Biswas, as the chief guest, handed over the registration certificate to the troupes in a programme arranged at Sonargaon Loko O Karu Shilpa Foundation in Panam Nagar. Thespian Nasiruddin Yusuff, the president of Shommilito Sangskritik Jote was also present as a special guest in the event that was presided over by Liaquat Ali Lucky.
The recipient troupes are Swapna Opera from Satkhira, Satarupa Shilpagoshthi from Sirajganj, Desh Opera from Chittagong, Krishna Opera from Netrokona, New Shilpi Natyasongstha from Narshingdi, Piyas Jatra Unit and Narasunder opera from Kisoreganj, Ananda Opera from Jessore, Sunderban Opera from Bagerhat, Bramhaputra Jatra Unit from Mymensing and three Dhaka-based troupes Keya Jatra Unit, Loko Natya Goshthi, Banglar Rani Opera.
-With New Age input
