Mahanagar Natyamancha does all but theatre

Photo: STAR

Mahanagar Natyamancha was constructed by Dhaka City Corporation to stage shows and conduct rehearsals. It was constructed during the tenure of Awami League government due to intense lobbying by the Group Theatre Federation.
Theatre groups arranged shows and drama festivals there. But after a year and a half the Natyamancha started to be used for political functions following changeover in power.
“The then ruling coalition government started to use the Natyamancha for holding political functions like founding anniversary of its political wing. These programmes got priority over dramas and we had no say in it,” said an artiste of Theatre Art.
“Then it was renamed Bashir Milonayoton. We do not know when, how and why the name was changed,” he said.
“Later we stopped going there because there was no atmosphere to stage shows and we felt insecure,” he said.
Noted theatre personality Ramendu Majumder said, “I was surprised to know about renaming of the Mahanagar Natyamancha after a person called 'Bashir'. I do not know who is this Bashir and what he has to do with theatre,” expressing surprise.
According to sources at DCC, the place is now a camp of Rab and joint forces.