Theatre with a message

An eight-day theatre festival is currently on at Kabi Nazrul Auditorium in Sylhet. Sammilito Natya Parishad Sylhet organised the 'Ekusher Chetonay Natyotshab 2016' in association with Sylhet City Corporation, beginning on Friday.

 "Bhaibe Radharaman", a musical drama presenting the autobiography of Radharaman Dutta, was staged by Little Theatre Sylhet on the first evening of the festival. The play is written and directed by Tanvir Nahid Khan.

Veteran theatre activist Sunirmol Kumar Deb Meen inaugurated the festival at Mukto Prangon of Kabi Nazrul Auditorium on Friday.

Chanda Nrityalaya gave a dance performance, while Udichi Shilpi Goshthi Sylhet Chapter and Nagarnat presented music at the inaugural session.

Beside Little Theatre Sylhet, other groups to perform were Theatre SUST ("Sonar Harin"), Dik Theatre of SUST ("Sikhondi Katha"), Natyamancha ("Sukher Khoje Sukhlal"), Kathakoli ("Meherjan"), Natyayan ("Modho Rater Bristy"), Nabasikha Natyadal ("Sath Koinyar Kahan") and Theatre Sylhet ("Jointeswari").

With the theme, "Amra Choli Abiram, Agni Akhore Likhi Moderi Naam", the festival is meant to rekindle the spirit of glorious February 21, 1952 and the Liberation War of 1971. 'Ekusher Chetonay Natyotshab' is an annual feature that boosts theatre, said Rajat Kanti Gupta, secretary of Sammilito Natya Parishad, Sylhet.