The 29th edition of the National Street Theatre Festival began on Saturday through staging Dhaka based troupe Opera’s production Kaiballo featuring the negligence towards the martyred freedom fighters and mass graves.
A total of 35 awareness generating street theatre productions from district towns of the country will be presented in the weeklong festival at the Central Shaheed Minar. This year’s festival has been organised by Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation with the slogan ‘Culture Against Violence’.
Information minister Hasanul Haque Inu inaugurated the festival as the chief guest. Among others eminent poet-playwright Syed Shamsul Haque, president of Bangladesh Pathanatok Parishad Manna Hira, secretary general of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Jhuna Chowdhury, thespian Mamunur Rashid, general secretary of Abritti Samannay Parishad Ahkamullah, president of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote Nasiruddin Yusuff; and general secretary of the jote Hasan Arif were present at the inauguration as special guests.
Chairman of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Liaquat Ali Lucky, also the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, presided over the inauguration session.
After the inauguration, organisers and audience sang the national anthem presented by the artistes of Dhaka Sangskritik Dal.
Artistes of Dhaka Sangskritik Dal also presented a few famous Ekushey songs like the seminal songs Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano, Apamane Tumi Jole Uthechhile, and O Amar Ganer Bhasa.
Pramesh Tanchangha, from an ethnic minority group, presented the song Amadesh Chan Edok Dol, meaning ‘Our Country is so Beautiful’ in his mother tongue.
A dance recital by the artistes of theatre troupe Mohakal Natya Sampraday attracted the audience. Directed by Aminul Ashraf, the dance production titled Jago features people’s resistance to violence.
The last attraction of the evening was Opera’s production Kaiballo. Written and directed respectively by late Sanjiban Shikder and Kazi Taufiqul Islam, the play features the discovery of numerous skulls of freedom fighters while excavating for a golden treasure.
The festival will continue till February 07 at the same venue.
-With New Age input
