Loko Natyadal's (Banani) anniversary celebration begins today

Loko Natyadal (Banani) is holding an eight-day theatre festival to mark its 30th anniversary. The festival is taking place at National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, starting from today. Six troupes -- from Bangladesh and India -- will stage eight plays at the festival.
Participating Bangladeshi troupes are Loko Natyadal (Banani), Aranyak Natyadal, Nagarik Natyasampraday and Subachan Natya Shangshad. Troupes from India, performing at the festival, are Nandipat (Kolkata) and Barnali (Tripura).
The organising troupe will stage three plays -- “Baikunther Khata”, “Kanjush” and “Shonai Madhab”, while rest of the troupes will stage one play each. Aranyak Natyadal will stage “Mayur Singhashan” after a long break. The visiting Indian troupes Nandipat and Barnali will stage “Ramonimohon” and “Dheu” respectively.
Apart from plays, a congregation of theatre activists (on November 22) and cultural programme (everyday) are parts of the festival.
Advocate Md. Abdul Hamid, speaker, National Parliament, is expected to be present as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. Theatre personality Mamunur Rashid will inaugurate the festival. On the concluding day, the organisers will felicitate its founder member Eugene Gomez with a lifetime achievement award.
Everyday, plays will start at 6:30pm.
Formed on July 6, 1981, Loko Natyadal has so far brought 25 plays to the stage. Its notable plays include “A Midsummer Night's Dream”, “Rothjatra”, “Bidhi O Byatikrom”, “Kanjush”, “Shonai Madhab” and “Padma Nadir Majhi”.