Celebrating ethnic diversity

Actors in a scene from Mangula

Both indigenous communities and the Bengalis have chalked out colourful programmes to observe the day in our country. The first event of the day is a colourful procession taken out by the indigenous peoples from Central Shaheed Minar premises. Besides the indigenous leaders, cultural personalities will deliver speeches on the occasion.

Later, a cultural event will be held at the Engineering Institute Auditorium.

Theatre troupes in Bangladesh have also undertaken programmes to observe the day.

Palakar will stage their current production Mangula at the Experimental Theatre Stage. Golam Shafiq's play features the chronological history of oppression on Hajongs, an indigenous community from Netrokona district. Aminur Rahman Mukul is the director of Mangula. Before the show, the troupe will stage programmes focusing on the struggle for right of the indigenous people in Bangladesh.

Another weeklong workshop is on at Dinajpur. Aranyak Natya Dal is conducting the event, arranged jointly by the Santal and Oraon communities. Mamunur Rashid, chairperson of Aranyak Natya Dal, said, "During our visit with our latest play Raarang, the Santal community were in favour of more such plays." The play features the oppression on Santals,

Mamun added, "I promised that if they could arrange a workshop, Aranyak Natya Dal would help them to stage plays. Through this workshop, Santals and Oraons will respectively stage two plays."

Mamun also added that Raarang will be staged tomorrow at the Experimental Theatre Stage.