FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF THEATRE

Theatre Week, a weeklong festival organised by leading troupe Theatre, is running at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The festival was inaugurated by Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman on December 4 at the National Theatre Hall. On the inaugural evening,Theatre gave the Munier Chowdhury Award to veteran thespian M Hamid, while general secretary of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, Akhtaruzzaman received Mohammad Zakaria Memorial Award.

Following the inauguration ceremony, Theatre staged their much-acclaimed play "Kokilara". Originally written and directed by noted litterateur, playwright and filmmaker late Abdullah Al Mamun, the play has been redesigned by Sudip Chakraborthy. The solo play cast seasoned actress Ferdousi Majumdar.  

The festival, featuring seven plays--"Kokilara", "Maya Nodi", "Kuhokjal", "Muktodhara", "Paayer Awaj Pawa Jaye", "Baramkhana", and "Meraj Fakir-er Maa"--by Theatre, is drawing a good number of audience at the National Theatre Hall every day.

Yesterday evening, "Muktodhara" was staged as part of the festival. The play, written by Rabindranath Tagore, has been directed by Naila Azad. The play articulates Tagore's philosophical analysis of the interaction between man and machine, the greed and exploitation that machines generate among human beings and how they are linked to the spirit of nationalism and imperialism.

On the closing evening of December 10, a discussion will be held on quarterly 'Theatre Magazine' marking 44th year of its publication. Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, founder associate editor of the quarterly, will attend the event as chief guest.

One of the leading troupes in the country, Theatre began its journey 44 years ago. And throughout these four decades it has presented audience with 45 productions, several regarded as some of the finest theatrical productions ever brought to the Bangladeshi stage. The troupe has also played a key role in rekindling hope in our theatre scenario in post-independent Bangladesh.