Drama festival begins with fanfare

Theatre activists greet Sardar Fazlul Karim and Professor Kabir Chowdhury at the inaugural ceremony

Professor Kabir Chowdhury was in chair while Ramendu Majumdar was the host of the opening arrangement. Adil Islam, the Corporate Banking Head of HSBC, the sponsor of the drama festival, also delivered a speech.

Ramendu said that Theatre has been arranging drama festivals since 1977. The festivals are held to observe special occasions. This year the group has arranged it on the 79th birthday of martyr Muneir Chowdhury.

Adil said, 'Along with the economical and political development, cultural advancement is important for a nation's progress. That is why we are now promoting the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh.'

Chief guest Sardar Fazlul Karim said, 'A martyr never dies, rather he is resurrected in every progressive individual. Martyr Muneir Chowdhury lives on in the heart of each and every cultural activist in Bangladesh.'

The chairperson Professor Kabir Chowdhury said, 'Being the founder President of Theatre, I believe that my group not only stages quality plays but also produces enlightened human beings.'

The name of the winners of the two awards-- Martyr Muneir Chowdhury Award and Zakaria Smrity Padak-- was announced by Abdullah Al Mamun, the Steering Committee Member of Theatre. This year Aly Zaker and Masum Reza have received the awards respectively. Later, the winners expressed their gratitude to the organisers of the prestigious awards.

After the inauguration ceremony, the premiere show of Theatre's latest production Mukti was staged at the Experimental Theatre Stage.