Festivals grabbed attention in 2019

(part-2)

LOKO NATYADAL’S THEATRE FESTIVAL

Loko Natyadal, one of the most prominent theatre troupes in the country, celebrated its 38th founding anniversary through a four-day theatre festival in the capital.

Veteran artiste of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and music director-composer-lyricist Sujay Sham was honoured by Loko Natyadal at the opening ceremony on July 6 at Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Mahila Samiti in the capital’s Baily Road.

Tagore’s drama ‘Baikhunther Khata’ was staged on the opening day.

The festival concluded on July 11 with the staging of Loko Natyadal’s play ‘Thikana’ at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital.

NAZRUL FEST

Leading cultural organisation Chhayanaut paid tributes to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam through a two-day event titled ‘Nazrul Fest’ in the capital.

The festival kicked off on July 25 at Chhyanaut’s auditorium in Dhanmondi with an introductory dance and musical performance on the song ‘Ano Ano Amrita Bari’ by artistes of the organisation.

To commemorate and celebrate Nazrul’s amazing literary creations, Chhayanaut has been organising the festival since 2009.

SOMUKHE SHANTI PARABAR

Marking the 78th death anniversary (August 7) of Rabindranath Tagore, a two-day music festival titled ‘Somukhe Shanti Parabar’, organised by Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha (BRSSS), held from August 2 to 3 at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium of Central Public Library in Shahbag of the capital.

The organisation honoured noted musician Azad Rahman with the special award ‘Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha Smarak Sommanona’ on the opening day.

On the closing day of the event, the artistes of BRSSS and invited artistes presented group and solo performances.

JAMDANI FESTIVAL

The five-week Jamdani Festival 2019, organised by National Crafts Council of Bangladesh and Bengal Foundation, kicked off on September 6 in the capital.

The inauguration ceremony of the Jamdani exhibition, followed by the Mastercraftspersons Award ceremony, held on the premises of Bengal Shilpalaya in Dhanmondi of the capital.

The Mastercraftspersons Award honoured the most gifted master weaver and apprentice for their skills and contributions to the community.

The exhibition remained open to all every day from 12pm to 8pm (closed on Sunday), until October 12.

SYED MOHIDUL ISLAM MEMORIAL FESTIVAL

Paying tribute to noted playwright, actor and director Syed Mohidul Islam on his 17th death anniversary, a five-day festival titled ‘Syed Mohidul Islam Smaran Utsab 2019’ (Syed Mohidul Islam Memorial Festival) held on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in the capital from September 14 to 18.

Celebrated thespian Asaduzzaman Noor was bestowed with the ‘Syed Mohidul Islam Padak’.

During the five-day festival, five popular theatre troupes from Bangladesh and India staged their productions.

NAT’L CHILDREN’S DRAMA AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL

The curtain rose on the National Children’s Drama and Cultural Festival 2019 on September 20 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. A total of 95 children’s theatre troupes from across the country are taking part in this nine-day event.

Arranged by People’s Theatre Association (PTA), in association with BSA, a total of 10,000 child artistes from 64 districts staged a total of 95 theatrical plays and exhibit 85 performances every day at 8 venues of BSA from 20 to 28 September.

GANGA-JAMUNA CULTURAL FESTIVAL

The curtain rose on the eighth edition of the 10-day theatre festival titled ‘Ganga-Jamuna Cultural Festival’ (Ganga-Jamuna Sangskritik Ustab 2019) on October 11 .

Eminent theatre personality Sree Meghnad Bhattacharya from India and Asaduzzaman Noor from Bangladesh jointly inaugurated the festival, while State Minister for Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh KM Khalid attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the captial.

BANGLA NATYA UTSAB

A 10-day drama festival kicked off in the capital on October 21. The festival staged Bangla dramas from Bangladesh and three other Bangla-speaking states of neighbouring India.

A total of 31 dramas, including five dramas from West Bengal, Tripura and Assam, staged at different venues in the capital.

Festivals grabbed attention in 2019

(part-2)

LOKO NATYADALS THEATRE FESTIVAL Loko Natyadal, one of the most prominent theatre troupes in the country, celebrated its 38th founding anniversary through a four-day theatre festival in the capital. Veteran artiste of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and music director-composer-lyricist Sujay Sham was honoured by Loko Natyadal at the opening ceremony on July 6 at Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Mahila Samiti in the capitals Baily Road. Tagores drama Baikhunther Khata was staged on the opening day. The festival concluded on July 11 with the staging of Loko Natyadals play Thikana at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. NAZRUL FEST Leading cultural organisation Chhayanaut paid tributes to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam through a two-day event titled Nazrul Fest in the capital. The festival kicked off on July 25 at Chhyanauts auditorium in Dhanmondi with an introductory dance and musical performance on the song Ano Ano Amrita Bari by artistes of the organisation. To commemorate and celebrate Nazruls amazing literary creations, Chhayanaut has been organising the festival since 2009. SOMUKHE SHANTI PARABAR Marking the 78th death anniversary (August 7) of Rabindranath Tagore, a two-day music festival titled Somukhe Shanti Parabar, organised by Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha (BRSSS), held from August 2 to 3 at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium of Central Public Library in Shahbag of the capital. The organisation honoured noted musician Azad Rahman with the special award Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha Smarak Sommanona on the opening day. On the closing day of the event, the artistes of BRSSS and invited artistes presented group and solo performances. JAMDANI FESTIVAL The five-week Jamdani Festival 2019, organised by National Crafts Council of Bangladesh and Bengal Foundation, kicked off on September 6 in the capital. The inauguration ceremony of the Jamdani exhibition, followed by the Mastercraftspersons Award ceremony, held on the premises of Bengal Shilpalaya in Dhanmondi of the capital. The Mastercraftspersons Award honoured the most gifted master weaver and apprentice for their skills and contributions to the community. The exhibition remained open to all every day from 12pm to 8pm (closed on Sunday), until October 12. SYED MOHIDUL ISLAM MEMORIAL FESTIVAL Paying tribute to noted playwright, actor and director Syed Mohidul Islam on his 17th death anniversary, a five-day festival titled Syed Mohidul Islam Smaran Utsab 2019 (Syed Mohidul Islam Memorial Festival) held on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in the capital from September 14 to 18. Celebrated thespian Asaduzzaman Noor was bestowed with the Syed Mohidul Islam Padak. During the five-day festival, five popular theatre troupes from Bangladesh and India staged their productions. NATL CHILDRENS DRAMA AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL The curtain rose on the National Childrens Drama and Cultural Festival 2019 on September 20 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. A total of 95 childrens theatre troupes from across the country are taking part in this nine-day event. Arranged by Peoples Theatre Association (PTA), in association with BSA, a total of 10,000 child artistes from 64 districts staged a total of 95 theatrical plays and exhibit 85 performances every day at 8 venues of BSA from 20 to 28 September. GANGA-JAMUNA CULTURAL FESTIVAL The curtain rose on the eighth edition of the 10-day theatre festival titled Ganga-Jamuna Cultural Festival (Ganga-Jamuna Sangskritik Ustab 2019) on October 11 . Eminent theatre personality Sree Meghnad Bhattacharya from India and Asaduzzaman Noor from Bangladesh jointly inaugurated the festival, while State Minister for Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh KM Khalid attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the captial. BANGLA NATYA UTSAB A 10-day drama festival kicked off in the capital on October 21. The festival staged Bangla dramas from Bangladesh and three other Bangla-speaking states of neighbouring India. A total of 31 dramas, including five dramas from West Bengal, Tripura and Assam, staged at different venues in the capital.