Prokrity O Puran Desh Natok Festival

A scene from the play Tirthonkar

Preview
Young but talented female stage playwright of the country, Samina Lutfa Nitra, who is an actress as well, in her play Tirthonkar has come up with the theme of an eternal problem and an inherent tendency of oppression in the society. This is the legendary Sohrab-Rustom story, set against the restless civilization marching today towards globalization. Tirthonkar is an adapted play from the Persian epic Shahanama having the flavour of the contemporary scenario of the world.

Faiz Zahir is the director, set designer and light designer of the play. Through the storyteller, who acts as the pilgrim, the director unfolds the play.

Renowned participants talk about the festival

In the weeklong drama festival arranged by Desh Natok, big groups of the country such as Nagorik Natyasampradaya, Theatre and Dhaka Theatre are participating as well. In the festival entitled 'Nature and Myth' two plays are based on the epic Mahabharata Kalshondhya of Nagorik Natyasampradaya and Madhobi of Theatre. Dhaka Theatre will stage their earlier popular production Hat Hadai, which is a pen-picture of the inhabitants of the south coast of the country.

Ataur Rahman, the General Secretary of Nagorik Natyasampradaya, and Nasiruddin Yousuff, the chief of Dhaka Theatre, say , 'Desh Natok is a group of young and talented theatre activists. We really appreciate their contribution in our theatre. They invited us to stage Kalshondhya as it goes well with the title of the festival. Moreover, I think, we should celebrate the Ekushey through arranging various festivals. That is why we are taking part in the arrangement.'

Nasiruddin says, 'The theme of the festival 'Nature and Myth' has unveiled our culture very artistically. I think, in the month of Ekushey we the cultural activists should come up with these types of messages to create awareness among the people and we are also here to enrich the festival which bears a very good message.'