Rabindra-Sarat Natya Utsab in Mymensingh

A three-day theatre festival by Natyalok Samproday concluded at Mymensingh Zila Silpakala Academy auditorium on Friday evening.

The festival was first of its kind taken by Natyalok, a prominent theatre troupe of Mymensingh, sources said.

The festival, titled Rabindra-Sarat Natya Utsob, included popular plays “Ami O Rabindranath” by Pranganemor from Dhaka on the opening day;  “Shasti” by Muktabak Theatre, and “Bilashi' by Natyalok Sampraday on the second and concluding days respectively.

The performance of the artistes, especially Ananta Hira and Nuna Afroz in “Ami O Rabindranath”, spell-bound the audience. Nuna Afroz was the writer and director of the play. The play depicts Tagore's life and works through an eye of his devoted reader. The other cast of the play included Ramiz Raju, Awal Reza, Sarwar Saikat and Touhid Biplob, among others.

Adopted by Muhit Chattopadya from Tagore's short story “Shasti”, the second play was directed by Monibhushan Bhattacharya while the play “Bilashi”, adopted by Delwar Hossain Rony based on a short story by timeless novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, was directed by SA Apurno. 

The audience has tasted the reality of stage performance through the mesmerizing acting of the artistes, said Dr Tara Golandaj, also a prominent theatre artiste of Mymensingh.

The performance on four steps of Tagore's life in “Ami O Rabindranath” was excellent and theatre-loving people will remember it, said Dr Golandaj, also an adviser of Natyalok.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ananta Hira inaugurated the festival. Mayor of Mymensingh Municipality Ekramul Haque Titu was the chief guest.

Principal (In-charge) of Mymensingh Medical College ANM Fazlul Haque Pathan, secretary of Bahurupi Natya Sangstha Shahdat Hossain Khan Hilu, and commissioner of Mymensingh Municipality Mahbubul Alam addressed the inaugural session, among others.

The speakers said such festivals where prominent artistes from Dhaka perform will surely encourage the young artistes to go for the practice of theatre.

Thanking Natyalok for organising the festival, the speakers also said the society is facing serious cultural assault, and the traditional art and culture must be revived for betterment of country's culture and traditions.