A boost for children's theatre

On the last day of the workshop a closing ceremony was organised at the Central Kochikacha Milayatan. The event was divided into two sessions. In the first session, a seminar on ''Issues regarding children's theatre and its potential' was held.

Counsellor of Ain O Shalish Kendra Kurshid Erfan, former chairman of Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum Dr Hamidul Haque, Dr Shamsuddin Ahmed of Unicef, theatre personality Shajahan Khan and former director of Department of Drama and Film, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, SM Mohsin and secretary general of People's Theatre Association, Liaquat Ali Lucky spoke at the event.

The second session started with the play Ekti Shiter Ratri. The theatrical work featured the plight of children in our country. The story line: Much to his delight, a schoolboy is presented a water flask by his parents. However, he turns pale in fear when he hears the threat that he will be beaten if anything happens to the flask. This admonition totally throws the boy out of gear, to the extent that he stops playing normally with his friends

Ekti Shiter Ratri was followed by a second play: Rastar Chhele. The play delineates the ill effects of children's easy access to money. Mintu and Nizam are two brothers. Mintu is lost at an early age and is adopted by a poor school teacher in a village. The teacher raises Mintu with good values and morals. The brothers go to the same school.

Mintu strives to do better even in harsh conditions. On the other hand, the spoilt Nizam hardly pays attention to studies.

Both the plays staged were directed by Liaquat Ali Lucky.