Left: National Professor Kabir Chowdhury speaks at the inauguration. Right: Sudeshna Swayamprabha during a Manipuri performance. Photo: Neloy Hossain

A four-day regional seminar on theatre education opened at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) yesterday morning. The event has been arranged by Bangladesh centre of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), in cooperation with BSA. The endeavour is supported by UNESCO.

The inauguration programme, titled 'Theatre Education: An Avenue for Development,' was held at Experimental Theatre Hall, BSA.

The programme started with a traditional Manipuri dance by Sudeshna Swayamprabha. The dance was choreographed by Sharmila Bandopadhyay.

A discussion followed. Dr Alauddin Ahmed, adviser to the Prime Minister, was the chief guest.

Among others, National Professor Kabir Chowdhury; Piyasiri Wijenayake MP, Sri Lankan minister for cultural affairs; Kamal Lohani, director general, BSA and Ramendu Majumder, president, ITI worldwide were present at the event.

Wijenayake is attending the seminar as part of the Sri Lankan delegation. Delegates from several countries are expected to attend the event.

Wijenayake congratulated ITI Bangladesh for holding the event. In his speech, he informed his government's endeavours in including theatre in the school curriculum.

"Theatre education in Sri Lanka was introduced nearly two decades ago and now it is taught in schools from sixth grade as well as in many universities and colleges," he informed.

"The ministry of youth affairs has established five centres for teaching drama and theatre in five provinces, under the supervision of the ministry of culture. A special degree programme has also been introduced under the Open University," Wijenayake said.

Ramendu Majumder said, "The main purpose of this seminar is to recommend ways and means to promote theatre education in the school curriculum in South and South East Asian countries. Hopefully, this programme will also help foster better understanding amongst individuals and associations."

"We strongly believe that focusing on arts education, particularly theatre, and wider practice of performing arts can play an effective role in addressing the increasing social unrest, conflicts within the communities and rise of fundamentalism," Majumder added.

Dr Alauddin Ahmed said, "Theatre can a very powerful medium in raising awareness against social unrest and crimes. The government has plans to include theatre in the school curriculum."

The opening ceremony was presided over by Ataur Rahman, president ITI Bangladesh.

The inauguration programme included another Manipuri dance performance (choreographed by Bimbavati Devi) by Warda Rihab. Nrityalok Shangskriti Kendra staged a performance titled "Bangladesh-er Dhol", choreographed by Kabirul Islam Ratan.

On the opening day a seminar on 'State of Theatre Education in the Region' was held at Seminar Room, BSA. The session was chaired by Ramendu Majumder.

Apart from seminars, the event also includes a theatre festival. Every evening -- from November 6 to 9 -- theatre troupes will stage plays at the Experimental Theatre Hall at 7 pm. On the opening day a traditional 'Charya Dol' from Lakshmipur performed at the festival. Today BSA will stage its production "Gazi Kalu Champabati". On November 8, Jahangirnagar University Theatre Department will stage the play "Rahu Chandaler Har" and on the closing day Dhaka University Theatre Department will stage "Mrichehakatikam".

Today two seminars -- on 'Theatre Education in Theory and Practice' chaired by Asaduzzman Noor, MP and 'Formulating National Policies to Incorporate Theatre in Education' chaired by VC of Dhaka University Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique -- will be held at Seminar Room, BSA at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm, respectively.

On November 8, a discussion with the teachers and students of theatre departments of DU and JU will be held at 10 am at Dhaka University.

On November 9 a dialogue with policymakers and practitioners will be held at Seminar Hall, BSA at 10:30 am.