Gonayon Natyosomproday to mark 50 years with weeklong theatre festival

Founded in 1975, Chattogram-based theatre troupe Gonayon Natyosomproday has completed 50 years of its journey. To mark the golden jubilee, the troupe will host a seven-day theatre festival titled Gonayon Natyoutshob, beginning on October 10 at the District Shilpakala Academy in Chattogram.

Under the slogan "Srijone Gaurabe Ongikare Shilpito Chetonay Gonayon" (In creation, pride, and commitment to artistic consciousness), the festival will continue until October 16, with plays staged every evening at 7:00pm. Over seven days, six plays will be performed.

The festival will open on October 10 and 11 with "Julius Caesar", produced by Gonayon Natyosomproday. The play depicts the reign of "Julius Caesar" — the Roman general and dictator — portraying how he transformed Rome from a democracy into a dictatorship. Written by William Shakespeare, the play has been translated by M Saiful Alam Chowdhury and directed by Aseem Das.

On October 12, Nandimukh Natyodal will stage "Amar Ami", based on the life of Binodini Dasi, the legendary actress of the Bengali stage. The play reflects her emotional struggles and is inspired by her autobiographical works "Amar Khata", "Amar Kotha", and "Amar Abhinetri Jibon". It is directed by Aseem Das.

Gonayon Natyosomproday will return on October 13 with "Komola Sundarir Kissa", a tragic tale set around a massive pond along the Someshwari River in Netrakona. The play is directed by Bappa Chowdhury.

The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Chittagong will present "Tini Aschen" on October 14, adapted from Eugène Ionesco's "The Leader", translated by M Saiful Alam Chowdhury and directed by Mamunul Haque.

On October 15, Kathasundor Natyodal will perform "Britt-er Baire", inspired by Santosh Chakraborty's play "Thikana", directed by Kuntal Barua. The festival will conclude on October 16 with Valmiki Pratibha, a Tagore classic, performed by Fame Natyodal and directed by Tilottoma Sengupta.