Promoting theatre activities across the country

Actors of Aikik Theatre in a scene from “Antarjatra.” (Botoom)Dignitaries inaugurate the festival. Photo: Neloy Hossain

Mahakal Natya Sampraday's 26th anniversary celebration started with the staging of "Antarjatra" at the Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on July 23. Narayanganj-based Aikik Theatre staged the play.
The festival features theatre troupes from each division of the country. Aikik is one of the six troupes from outside Dhaka.
Despite discouraging atmosphere, theatre activities outside Dhaka are gradually increasing and out of town troupes are regularly featured in festivals held in Dhaka. These troupes need more exposure and most importantly they need better infrastructure. ITI Worldwide President Ramendu Majumdar addressed these issues at the inauguration of the festival and urged authorities to take steps to encourage theatre activities across the country.
"We need more infrastructure support than financial. If the troupes can rent auditoriums at cheaper rates, they can stage more plays," said Majumdar. Majumdar was the chief guest at the programme.
Among others, theatre personality Nasiruddin Yousuff, president and secretary general of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) Liaquat Ali Lucky and Jhuna Chowdhury respectively, and Professor Afsar Ahmed were present as special guests.
Majumdar also suggested both the president and secretary general of BGTF that they should allow only proficient troupes to continue activities with the organisation.
Later Majumdar, along with the distinguished guests, formally inaugurated the festival through lighting candles, while a group of dhuli (percussionist) lead by Dashrath Das played dhol.
Meer Zahid Hasan of Mahakal presided over the programme.
Before the staging of "Antarjatra," artistes of Spondon performed dance.
"Antarjatra" is an improvised play depicting a wondrous journey of four ascetics throughout the history of human civilisation. The production was a combined effort by the members of the troupe. Sajedur Rahman Chanchal was the director and project designer.
The ascetics, from contemporary time of strife, start their journey during the advent of "Charyapad." The meet the great Charya poets and ask them how they can overcome troubled times. The leader of the poets, known as 'guru,' advises them to go to the dawn of the Greek civilisation to witness the tragedy of King Oedipus.
Throughout the play, the ascetics travel to different lands in different ages, like Britain during the rule of King Lear and Baghdad during the time of the great Sufi poet Mansur Al-Hallaj to learn more about fate.
The play tried to present an understanding of the current trauma through improvisation.
The cast included SM Ripon, Yousuf Atique Manik, Ruma Sarkar, Fahim Bhuiyan and Belal Hossain Mithu. Asit Kumar was the music director, while Ahidul Azam Tipu did the light designing.
Bibartan from Jessore (representing Khulna division) will stage "Kaibarta Gantha" at the National Theatre Hall this evening.