Udichi drama festival begins today

The theatre troupe has arranged a six-day long drama festival at Mahila Samity Stage, which begins today. Other participants in the festival are Aranyak Natyadal, Prachyanat and Padatik Natyashongshod.

Veteran theatre personality Mamtajuddin Ahmed inaugurates the drama festival. Liaquat Ali Lucky, the general Secretary of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) is the chief guest while Jatin Sarkar will chair the opening programme. In addition, Probir Sardar will deliver the welcome speech, while Mahmud Selim will deliver a speech.

After the Dhaka Drama Festival-2004, arranged by BGTF in June last, drama festivals have centred at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. All the drama festivals from June 2004 onwards have taken place either at the Experimental Theatre Stage or the newly opened National Theatre Stage at Shilpakala. However, theatre groups are.simultaneously staging their regular shows at Mahila Samity Stage, the most popular theatre venue of Bangladesh. After a long gap, Udichi has arranged a drama festival at the well-reputed theatre venue.

Probir Sardar, Assistant General Secretary of Udichi Central Committee as well as the Publicity Secretary of BGTF, said, "In this festival we will stage Bou Boshonti, The Freedom of the City and ChileKothar Sipai.. Moreover, Aranyak, Prachyanat and Padatik will stage Shonkranti, Circus Circus and Jolbalika respectively. We invited many popular plays for the festival and included those which suit our schedule."

Established in 1968, Udichi staged its first stage-play in 1978. From then onwards it has emerged as a popular name in Bangladeshi theatre. Earlier, another festival was arranged four years back. This festival runs from February 11 to 16.