Celebrating the power of theatre
Entering the office of Prachyanat in Kataban, we saw brilliant dancer and the theatre troupe's fine choreographer Snata Shahrin conducting rehearsals for a Mayurbhanj Chhau dance piece. The classical-martial dance segment will open the celebration programme of pioneering Prachyanat School's 15th anniversary.
The day long (9am-9pm) programme will be held on July 29 at National Theatre Hall (NTH) of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). Toufikul Islam Emon, chief secretary of Prachyanat and the convener of the 15th year celebration of the school, talks about the grand celebration ahead.
"There is an air of excitement all around. Theatre activists of 30 batches will assemble on the opening day. We plan to organise a vibrant adda where they will reminisce on the theme, 'Harano Din-er Duarey Mati Praner Joarey'," said Emon.
"We hope to gather in the open premises of Shilpakala at 10:30am. Registration is already underway. A spot registration will also start at 9am for the former students of the school. We have arranged gifts, T-shirts, uttario, badges, memorials and many more knick-knacks," he added.
"A performance of a traditional Chhau dance will mark the inauguration followed by a collage performance from 29 batches' final productions at 11:30am. A folk musical troupe from Mymensingh will perform Gazir Gaan. Photo exhibition with several documentaries and interviews will also be screened at the lobby of NTH," informed Emon.
"As our dreams are upscale like the Himalayas, we have invited two mountaineers -- Nishat Majumdar and MA Muhit along with eminent thespian Mamunur Rashid to formally inaugurate the celebration programme at 4pm. We would like to recognise teachers, directors and coordinators with memorials. An open discussion will take place alongside the designing stage and sets for the concluding production "Siraj-Ud-Doula" by the 30th batch at 7pm at NTH."
Theatre troupe Prachyanat will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. The troupe regularly presents a wide spectrum of theatre productions; street plays; musical programmes by Joler Gaan and Sarbanaam; dance presentations; Laal Jatra and more. The theatre school has a pool of dedicated youngsters who are pursuing their professional career in theatre and other performing arts. It is also an organisation that believes in nurturing folk cultural heritage, research and documentation.
"We have plans to bring out a vibrant rally in the morning and organise a scintillating display of fireworks at night," concluded Toufikul Islam Emon.
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