Ganga Jamuna Cultural Festival kicks off in the capital

The ninth installment of the Ganga Jamuna Cultural Festival kicked off at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) this evening.

The inauguration ceremony commenced with a group performance of the National Anthem by artistes of Bangladesh Gana Sangeet Samannay Parishad. It was followed by a special dance recital, presented by Spandan and choreographed by Anik Basu. A minute of silence was observed in memory of the lives lost during the Liberation War, and the pandemic.

State Minister of Cultural Affairs and Member of Parliament K M Khalid graced the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest. The programme was presided over by the festival convener, author Golam Kuddus.

Renowned thespians, including former Minister of Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Nur, Ramendu Majumder, Manchasharathi Ataur Rahman, and Nasiruddin Yousuff were present as guests of honour. They were presented with crests during the programme.

Noted music composer, freedom fighter and Shwadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste Shujeyo Sham, who was supposed to inaugurate the event, could not be present at the programme due to illness.

Festival secretary Aktaruzzaman delivered the opening speech. " Since the beginning of the festival, we intended to include all forms of performance art. This year, we have subject-oriented productions of music, dance, recitation and mime. We shall include more departments in future," he said.

Chairman of Bangladesh Group Theater Federation and Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Liaquat Ali Lucky also spoke at the programme. He said, "After two years of battling the pandemic, this festival has returned with a positive message, in support of all cultural organisations of the country."

Freedom fighter and thespian Nasiruddin Yousuff noted that after 18 months of inactivity, artistes need to work twice as hard to propagate cultural practices of the country. He also paid his respect to Amalesh Chakraborty, who initiated the Ganga Jamuna Cultural Festival in Kolkata.

Moreover, Ramendu Majumder urged the Cultural Ministry to aid the propagation of theatre groups, and let foreign troupes enter the country, as things are gradually getting back on track. "It is indispensable that we identify and enlist groups who are worth receiving the incentives," he said, urging all cultural groups to ensure vaccination for all their members.

 "We need to ensure the quality of groups and performances before we give away incentives. We need to be critical of our own work to ensure quality productions," asserted eminent actor and Member of Parliament Asaduzzaman Noor.

"Payer Awaj Pawa Jaye" — a landmark play of Bangladesh — was staged by Theatre (Bailey Road) at the National Theatre Hall of BSA on the opening day. The play is originally written by Syed Shamsul Haq and directed by Abdullah Al Mamun. The new rendition of Theatre (Bailey Road) is directed by Sudip Chakroborthy.

Eminent theatre artistes Ferdousi Majumdar and Keramot Mawla, who have been a part of the original production, performed in this rendition of the play this year.

Through the narrative of a rural woman, the play highlights the sufferings of commoners during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. The play debuted in 1976, and played an important role in the neo-theatre movement of Bangladesh.

In addition, Aranyak Natyadal's "Kohe Facebook", written and directed by Mamunur Rashid and Dhaka Shilpakala Academy's "Jonoker Mrityu Nei", directed by Smaran Saha, were staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall and Studio Theatre Hall respectively.

The concluding speech of the opening day was delivered by Golam Kuddus, who hoped to encourage new artistes through incentives and training.

3,500 artistes from 140 cultural groups are participating at the event, where a total of 36 plays will be staged across the auditoriums of BSA for 12 days. No Indian artistes are participating in the festival this time.

This year's Ganga Jamuna Cultural Festival has been organised to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence.

36 theatre troupes from Bangladesh will stage 36 plays at the event. Visitors will be treated to street plays, recitations, musical, and dance performances.

The Ganga Jamuna Cultural Festival will conclude on October 12.

The author is an art researcher and writer in the making. Email: priyanka.chowdhury@gmail.com.