Beauty in Diversity

Oraon Shishu-Kishore Theatre stages “Mandi Amnkhi”. Photo: Mumit M.

Curtain came down on the four-day long Ethnic Minority Drama Festival 2011, organised by Khudra Nri Goshthi Cell [Cell for ethnic minority groups] of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), at the National Theatre Hall, BSA yesterday.
The festival was a part of BSA's endeavours to facilitate the practice of languages, culture, and heritage of ethnic minority groups. The programme was an opportunity for the ethnic groups as well as Bengalis to celebrate the rich diversity of the country. At the discussions, issues relating to nationality, religion and prospects for linguistic diversity were focused.
At the festival, theatre troupes representing ethnic groups from Rajshahi, Khagrachari, Dinajpur, and Rangamati staged their plays.
The plays shed light on the issues of gender inequality and rights of the ethnic groups.
The festival began with a staging of “Ditom” by Manwa Natyadal, Rajshahi on March 30. Jum Shamajik-Shangskritik Samshad, based in Khagrachari, staged “Chandobi” on the second day of the festival. The tragic tale of Chandobi, based on a true story, engaged the issues of discrimination against women in the Chakma community.
Dinajpur based troupe Oraon Shishu-Kishore Theatre's “Mandi Amnkhi” and Rangamati based troupe Rangdhang Theatre's “Ban” also drew interest of the audiences.
The festival was inaugurated by Kazi Keramat Ali, chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Cultural Ministry. Kamal Lohani, director general, BSA presided over the event.