Folk theatre week gets underway
Featuring different folk theatre forms of rural Bangladesh, a weeklong festival has begun at the Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on April 24. Organised by the Department of Drama and Film, BSA the festival features traditional theatre forms such as 'Padmar Nachan', 'Bahurupi', 'Bandhani Gaan', 'Ram Jatra', 'Madar Pirer Gaan' and 'Royani'. Troupes from Kushtia, Manikganj, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Rajshahi and Bagerhat are performing at the festival.
The aim of the festival is to help revive traditional theatre forms from the verge of extinction as well as to patronise the theatre troupes from across the country.
A brief inaugural ceremony was held prior to the day's performance, which was presided over by Kamal Lohani, director general, BSA. Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Hedayetullah Al Mamun was the chief guest at the inaugural. Among others, Sara Ara Mahmud and Golam Sarwar, respectively director and deputy director of the department of Drama and Film spoke at the inaugural.
On the inaugural day Rezaul Haque Shalok and his troupe from Kushtia performed 'Padmar Nachan'. 'Padmar Nachan' is a folk theatre form that evolves from another folk form 'Padma Puran'. Nowadays it is being practiced and performed widely in different regions, by the bank of Padma particular in Kushtia and Pabna districts.
The troupe of Rezaul Haque performed the tale “Lakkhindar: Janmo Thekey Mrittu”. Besides singing and narratives, dance is an equally important component of the form; that is why it is termed as 'nachan' (dance). With traditional instruments such as mridanga, mandira and kartal the 10-member troupe of Rezaul Haque enthralled the urban audience through their exciting performance.
Ali Hossain, Abdur Rahim, Nizam Uddin, Zahidul Islam, Sherebul Islam, Nazim Uddin, Jannan Ali and Chand Ali are the other members of the troupe.
Today, Mangalu Chandra and his troupe from Dinajpur will perform 'Bandhani Gaan'. The troupe will perform the pala, titled “Mati Ka(n)pa Dewani”.
The folk festival will continue till April 30.
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