�Ganga-Jamuna Theatre and Cultural Festival � kicks off today
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DL Desk
The fourth edition of Ganga-Jamuna Theatre and Cultural Festival (Ganga-Jamuna Natya O Sangskritik Ustab 2015) will see its curtains rise today with a gala opening ceremony at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Segun Bagicha in the city. Aiming at consolidating the harmony between Bangladesh and India through cultural exchange, Bangladesh Committee of Ganga-Jamuna Natyautsab Parshad, in association with Kolkata-based theatre troupe Aneek, has organised the nine-day long festival, which has been scheduled to conclude on September 12.
Noted Indian film and stage actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay and veteran thespian Ferdausi Majumdar from Bangladesh will inaugurate the festival at the National Theatre Hall at 6pm today. Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor will attend the inaugural ceremony as chief guest, while Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pankaj Soren will be present as special guest. The programme will also be joined by eminent thespians Mamunur Rashid, Hasan Arif, Jhuna Chowdhury and director general of BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky.
Ganga-Jamuna theatre festival, which is being organised by Indian theatre troupe Aneek (Kolkata) since 1998, is an exemplary initiative of bringing Bengali theatre groups together from all across West Bengal, Bangladesh and various other states of India. The event creates a transitional platform that establishes a cultural space which transcends the divisive rhetoric of nation-states, international diplomacy, Islamic Terrorism and communal politics of all colours. Interestingly, the festival not only connects the metropolitan centres of Kolkata and Dhaka but also includes performers from other divisions and districts of Bangladesh as well as the different districts of West Bengal, which continue to nurture a rich and growing theatre culture.
The festival will feature as many as 18 stage plays, eight street plays, eight music troupes, eight recitation troupes, eight dance troupes and eight solo singers. The show of staging play will begin every day from 7pm. Apart from staging play, performance of street plays, rendition of songs, recitations, dance and many more will be organised on the open stage at the festival venue everyday from 5pm to 6pm.
On the opening day, today, Indian troupe Sangstab will stage their play Chharigonga while local troupe Prachyanat will stage Tragedy Palashbari at the National Theatre Hall and Experimental Theatre Hall respectively.
Tomorrow, on the second day, Sangstab will stage Bhutonath while Rajshahis Anushilon Natya Dol will stage Donddo at the National Theatre Hall and Experimental Theatre Hall respectively.
On September 6, Chittagongs Uttaradhikar will stage Sampan Naiya at National Hall, while Natyacharcha will stage Informer at Experimental Hall.
On September 7, Loko Natyadals (Siddeswari) Konjush will be staged at the National Theatre Hall, while Desh Natoks Darpane Sharat Shashi at the Experimental Theatre Hall.
On September 8, Rittks Adi Raja (India) and Aranyaks Bhangabanga will be staged at the National Theatre Hall and Experimental Theatre Hall respectively.
On September 9, Indian theatre troupe Anik will bring Ashokananda on stage at the National Theatre Hall, while local troupe Padatik Natya Sangsad will stage its Poramati at the Experimental Theatre Hall.
On September 10, Padatik Natya Sangsad (TSC) will come up with its play Macbeth at the National Theatre Hall and Theatres Kokilara (Baily Road) will be staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall.
On the other hand, Nagorik Natya Sampradayas Dewan Gazir Kissa and Prangone Mors Shesher Kabita will be staged at the National Theatre Hall and Experimental Theatre Hall respectively on September 11.
On the concluding day of the festival on September 12, Dhaka Theatre will stage Dhabaman at the National Theatre Hall, while Mohakal Natya Sampradaya will bring its play Nilakhkhyan on stage at the Experimental Theatre Hall. l
