Theatre troupe Aranyak Natyadal has organised a week-long international theatre festival titled ‘Pushpa O Mongal Utsab’ (Flower and Bliss International Theatre Festival) on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to celebrate its 45th founding anniversary of the troupe. Featuring a total of 14 plays by nine troupes -- eight foreign troupes and the host troupe, the festival will begin today and will run till October 28.

The festival will also feature traditional performance arts, theatre workshop, discussion and Aranyak Dipu Memorial Award 2017.

During the weeklong festival host troupe Aranyak Natyadal will bring three stage productions—Iblish, Mayur Singhasan and Rarang on stage, while five Indian troupes--Rittik, Natyabhumi, Shantipur Sangskritik, Ayanda and Prachya New Alipur will stage their plays at the festival. Theatre troupes from Iran, Hongkong and Norway will also stage plays at the festival.

Besides staging plays, host troupe Aranyak will brings street productions—‘Murkha Loker Murkha Kotha’, ‘Aranya Mangol’ and ‘Aguner Jobanbondi’ on stage at the festival.

On the opening day, today the host troupe will stage ‘Iblish’ directed by renowned dramatist Mamunur Rashid at the National Theatre Hall of BSA.

To note, Aranyak Natyadal was formed in 1972. The troupe has so far produced 58 stage and street plays. l

Photo l jaki zaman