National Dance Drama Festival in full swing

Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha (BNSS) in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) has organised a five-day (December 18- 20 and December 23-24) National Dance Drama Festival at National Theatre Hall of BSA.

The festival, the third of its kind in Bangladesh, was inaugurated by Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, as chief guest. Veteran journalist and cultural personality Kamal Lohani and eminent dance-drama writer Dr. Enamul Haque attended the event as special guests. Minu Haque and Mahfuzur Rahman, president and general secretary of BNSS, delivered the welcome addresses while Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of BSA presided over the programme. The festival has been dedicated to the memory of the recently deceased dance artiste Nrityaguru Rahija Khanam Jhunu.

The festival was set off with the acclaimed production “Surjamukhi Nodi”, penned by Dr. Enamul Haque and directed by Rahija Khanam Jhunu. Artistes of Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts performed in the dance drama themed on our glorious Liberation War. Noted dancer-model Sadia Islam Mou performed a central role well among all the performers of the dance drama. Abdur Rashid Swapan also donned another lead role.

Artistes of the School of Oriental Dance, Chittagong staged a Tagore composition “Mayar Khela” while dancers of BNSS, Satkhira presented another Tagore classic “Chandalika” at the venue yesterday.   

Today is the third day of the festival where Sylhet-based promising troupe Nrityashoili will stage “Drohokal” while Rajshahi-based dance group Dhrupadalok will perform in their production “Bidaye Abhishap”.