With the theme “Shilpa-Sangskriti- Srijanshilata, Joy Joy Joy Manobota”, a five day theatre festival opened on April 24 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). The festival, dedicated to legendary singer-musician Lucky Akhand, has been organised to mark the 37th founding anniversary of BSA Employees' Union. Ministry of Cultural Affairs and BSA are assisting in the festival.
Ten theatre troupes are staging their popular productions at the festival. The plays start everyday at 7pm at National Theatre Hall and Experimental Theatre Hall of BSA.
Asaduzzaman Noor, Cultural Affairs Minister, attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest. President of International Theatre Institute (Worldwide) Ramendu Majumdar, director general of BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky and secretary general of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Aktaruzzaman and secretary of BSA Jahangir Hossain Chowdhury attended the event as special guests. General secretary of BSA Employees' Union Saidur Rahman delivered the welcome address while president of the organisation SM Salahuddin presided over the programme.
On the opening day, popular productions “Meraj Fakir-er Maa” [by Theatre] and “Shikhandi Katha” [by Mahakal Natya Sampradaye] were staged. Other plays at the festival are “Gohor Badsha O Banechapori”, “Court Martial”, “Awrangzeb”, “Konjush”, “Bonduk Juddho” and “Gadhar Haat”, “Mohajoner Nao”, “Rarang” and “Circus Circus” -- by Nagarik Natyangan, Theatre Art Unit, Prangonemor, Loko Natyadal Siddheshwari, Natyakendra, Subachan Natya Sangshad, Aranyak Natya Dal and Prachyanat respectively.