A week-long street theatre festival marking the 40th Independence Day begins today at the Central Shaheed Minar. A total of 42 theatre troupes from across the country are expected to participate at the fest. Bangladesh Pathnatok Parishad has been organizing the festival titled ‘Bangladesh Pathnatok Utshab’ since 2001. Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Sammilito Sankskritik Jote president Nasiruddin Yusuff, theatre personality Mamunur Rashid and other theatre leaders are expected to be present at the inaugural programme. The festival will feature popular troupes like Aranyak Natya Dal, Padatik Natya Sagsad, Dhaka Padatik, Prachyanat and Natyadhara. Moreover, troupes from Dhaka and outside Dhaka will stage plays.
The Parishad’s president Mannan Heera told New Age that most of the troupes from outside Dhaka are going to present new dramas which will be the biggest achievement of the festival.
Talking about the other theatre festival organised by Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation held in February, Mannan Hira said, ‘As the federation’s festival marks the International Mother Language Day it never clashes with our festival. The two festivals completely uphold two different flavours’. The festival will end on March 7.
News Source : The New Age