The 12th Bangladesh Pothonatok Utsab began on Saturday at the Central Shaheed Minar premises amid festivity and fanfare.
Bangladesh Pothonatok Parishad has been organising the festival since 2002 with a view to promoting street theatre and to ensuring
its practice across the country.
This year, a total of 23 Dhaka based and 18 regional theatre troupes are scheduled to stage their street productions at the festival.
Cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor inaugurated the festival, while thespian Keramat Moula, vice-president of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote Golam Kuddus, theatre activist Maloy Bhowmick, president of Bangladesh Pothonatok Parishad Mannan Hira and others were present as special guests. The inauguration was followed by a spectacular dance recital by the artistes of Mohakal Natya Sampraday.
On the opening day, three Dhaka-based and a Comilla-based troupe staged their productions after the inauguration. The four plays addressed significant political and social issues such as history of the country, discontent over the present situation, political misgivings and corruption.
Dhaka-based troupe Manas Natya Angan staged Mrittika Kathan, written and directed by Kazi Delwar Hemanta. The play metaphorically addresses the political history of the country from 1947 to 1971. Through a number of traditional games, the play showed the partition of Bengal, and the struggle for independence. A large number of audience enjoyed the presentation.
Another troupe Opera staged Kaiballa, written and directed respectively by late Sanjiban Shikder and Kazi Taufiqul Islam. Kaiballa features the discovery of the skulls of freedom fighters while carrying out excavation for a treasure by a bunch of greedy people. The play ends on the note that nation’s history is and should be the most desired treasure for the people.
Theatre troupe Drishtipat Natya Sangsad’s play Joratali also addressed the country’s history, though in a different light. Written and directed respectively by MA Salam and Kazi Anis, the play presents a few selected historical characters like Mir Zafar, Lord Clive and others so as to compare the present political and social scenario with that of the past.
The only troupe outside the capital, Comilla Natyadal, staged a comedy titled Dhil. Written and directed respectively by Azizul Haque Mollah and Nasir Uddin Sachi, the play showed how the ever growing corruption at all levels destroys the dream of the masses and desire of happily living.
The weeklong street theatre festival will end on March 07.
-With New Age input
