The third edition of the National Dance-Drama Festival has begun on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Segun Bagicha in the capital yesterday. Bangladesh Nrityashilpi Shangstha (BNS), in association with BSA, has organised the five-day dance drama festival.

Chaired by BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky, Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor inaugurated the festival as chief guest yesterday, while cultural personality Kamal Lohani was present as special guest.

After the inauguration, the festival began with staging the dance-drama ‘Surya Mukhi Nodi’ by Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts.

Today, on the second day, Chittagong based troupe will stage its dance-drama ‘Mayar Khela’ directed by Suva Sen Gupto and a troupe from Satkhira will stage ‘Chandalika’at the National Theatre Hall of BSA.

The other production of the festival includes ‘Drohokal’, ‘Biday’, ‘Obhishap’, ‘Mohua’, ‘Sonai Madhab’ and ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’.

At the closing ceremony on December 24, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Ibrahim Hossain Khan will be present as chief guest.  

After the five-day festival held from December 18 to 24 (excluding December 21 and 22) in Dhaka, the festival will continue across various districts around Bangladesh. In this part, seven Dhaka-based troupes will stage their productions in seven districts— Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Noakhali, Habiganj, Natore and Mymensingh.