Weeklong ‘jatra pala’ begins from today

To safeguard one of the most popular indigenous performing arts 'jatra pala' from extinction, a weeklong festival begins today at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Troupes from different parts of the country will stage popular pala throughout the festival. On the inaugural day, Chaitali Opera will stage “Devi Sultana”.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad is expected to inaugurate the festival this evening as the chief guest, while Kamal Lohani, director general of BSA will preside over the inaugural.
The other troupes to stage 'jatra pala' during the festival are Ananda Opera, New Rong Mahal and Sangeeta Jatra Unit. The troupes will stage pala titled “Kohinur” (directed by Brajendra Kumar Dey), “Manabi Devi” (Nirmal Mukhopadhyay) and “Jalim Singher Maath” (Prashad Krishna Bhattacharya). Jatra artiste Victor Daniel will stage a solo performance on May 11. The day's performance also includes bibeker gaan by artistes from different troupes.
Renowned theatre personality Mamunur Rashid will deliver the “Amalendu Biswas Memorial Lecture” on the last day. Among others, Professor Israfil Shahin of Dhaka University; jatra artistes Milon Kanti Dey and Sultan Selim and journalist Abdul Mazid will discuss on the topic.
Under the supervision by Shilpakala Academy , the department of Drama and Film has arranged the festival.