The 29th national street theatre festival ended with shows of seven theatre productions on Friday at the central Shaheed Minar.
Dhaka based troupes Dhaka Drama, Dhaka Padatik, Udichi, Chandrakala Theatre respectively staged Joy Bangla, Madarika Kheil, Sangram-i Sundar, Bhanga Sangbad; while Narayanganj based Sangsaptak Natyadal and Jessore based Noyapara Natya Goshthi staged Dhangsha Stup and Barnmalar Padabali respectively on the concluding day.
The weeklong festival began on February 01 which featured 20 theatre productions by Dhaka based troupes along with 15 productions by out of Dhaka theatre troupes.
Besides the theatre productions, the festival also lined up music, recitations and dance recitals. Every evening a large number of audience enjoyed the performances at the venue which wore a festive mood.
Keeping in line with the street theatre practices in the country, most of the productions, in their own ways, addressed the present and past political situations of the country. Rest of the productions addressed contemporary issues.
The festival began with theatre troupe 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.
Also focused on the country’s history, especially the war of liberation, were productions like Saper Khela by Mohakal Natya Sampraday, Swadhinatar Sangram by Padatik Natya Sangsad, Janam Dukhi Ma by Theatre Art Unit, Janani Janmabhumi by Naat Nandan, Baddhyabhumite Shesh Drishya by Barisal based Shabdabali, Rifle by Shabda Natyacharcha Kendra, Madarika Kheil by Dhaka Padatik and others.
Just as their Dhaka based peers, the troupes from different district towns were successful in presenting such relevant themes to the urban audience.
Troupes like Brahmanbaria Sahitya Academy (Brahmanbaria), Ensemble Theatre (Mymensing), Ekata Natyagoshthi (Kisoreganj), Anirban Theatre (Darshana), Bibartan Natyagoshthi (Shahzadpur), Banolota (Jhenaidah), Sangsaptak Natyadal (Narayanganj), Noyapara Natyagoshthi (Jessore) performed at the festival and earned acclaim from the audience and theatre activists.
Moreover, the troupes from district towns expressed their satisfaction to have performed in a national level festival which, they think, will enrich their experience and stimulate their passion for theatre.
‘It is a great experience for all of us to perform at the Shaheed Minar in front of such an appreciative crowd,’ said Anwar Shamim, executive member of Barisal based troupe Shabdali.
Another noticeable aspect of this year’s festival was the new productions. Theatre Art Unit’s Janam Dukhi Ma, Desh Natok’s Adam Test, Udichi’s Sangram-i Sundar, Shabdabali’s Baddhyabhumite Shesh Drishya saw their premiere shows at the festival.
The organisers expressed their contentment of receiving warm responses from the audience and activists. ‘We are very happy that every evening the audience turnout was great,’ said Chandan Reaz, convener of the festival.
The audience, however, had mixed responses. While many of them enjoyed the productions, some complained about the monotonous nature of the subject focused in the plays.
Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation has been organising the national street theatre festival since 1986.
-With New Age input
