Activists bid adieu to the theatre epicentre
Theatre activists bid adieu to the old Mahila Shamiti building on September 12 as the curtains came down on the five-day 'Bhanga Gora Natyotshob 2011'.
On the last day of the festival, troupes including Theatre Art Unit, Aranyak Natyadal, Theatre (Bailey Road), Prachyanat, Natyachakra and Dhaka Theatre staged scenes from their acclaimed plays -- “Birth Fantasy”, “Moyur Shinghashan”, “Kokilara”, “Circus Circus”, “Bhoddornok” and “Muntasir”.
Theatre's monodrama “Kokilara” had veteran actor Ferdausi Majumdar in full form. Dhaka Theatre's “Muntasir” had familiar faces including Zahiruddin Piar. M. Hamid played the protagonist in Natyachakra's “Bhaddornok”.
Throughout five days, 48 troupes from all over the country staged scenes from their popular plays. A photography-poster exhibition and reminiscences by seasoned activists were also part of the festival.
Bangladesh Mahila Shamiti is considered the epicentre of the neo-theatre movement in the country that was initiated in 1973. Numerous popular plays had been staged at the Neelima Ibrahim Auditorium of the building over the decades that helped propel the theatre movement. Recently, Mahila Shamiti authorities decided to renovate the building.
On behalf of all activists, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) organised the festival.
Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun inaugurated the festival as chief guest. Noted theatre personalities including Ramendu Majumdar, Ataur Rahman, Mamunur Rashid, Nasiruddin Yousuff, Aly Zaker and Asaduzzaman Noor spoke at the inaugural programme.
A committee was formed to arrange the festival. BGTF chairman Liaquat Ali Lucky and secretary general Jhuna Chowdhury were the convener and member secretary of the committee respectively.
The organisers said that a documentary based on theatre activities at and surrounding Mahila Shamiti would be made later.
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