Throughout the 14th National Children’s Drama and Cultural Festival, the atmosphere of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) was joyous and vibrant. In the eight venues across the academy, children from all over the country participated in stage plays, acrobatic shows, musical programmes, drawing contests and an array of other activities. 

Over fourteen stage plays were performed on the penultimate day of the festival, by young artistes from different theatre troupes. A total of nine plays were staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall of BSA. Three of them were: Becharam Kenaram, by Kids’ Cultural Institute, Oshongoti by District Shilpakala Academy Child Theatre Troupe from Magura, and Ameliorative Land by Shupto Thita.

Based on Upendrakishor Ray Chowdhury’s story, Becharam Kenaram revolves around the exploitations of a cunning man, Becharam, and his gullible servant, Kenaram. The plot thickens when Kenaram is blessed with a violin which once played, forces its listeners to dance. The play is directed by Dr Sourav Shakhawat.

Photo: Shanto lawrence costa

Oshongoti is an original play which highlights class differences. It is written and directed by Md Minarul Islam Jewel. The plot of the play revolves around Minhaz, a slum boy who lives with his adoptive father and siblings. From a young age, Minhaz and the other teens are forced to sell drugs, as a part of their father’s business. If one makes the sale of the day, they are rewarded and if they do not, they face punishments. Minhaz has difficulties keeping up with his sales. As a result, he is severely reprimanded by his father. He befriends Tawsif, a young boy from an affluent family, but their friendship is not accepted by the people of the slum. A fascinating aspect of the play is that it uses rap music to showcase Minhaz’s frustrations.

Ameliorative Land is a theatrical dance play that showcases the tale of Bangladesh as a nation since its inception. It begins with an act depicting the sacrifices of the martyrs and the birangona women during the Liberation War. Through dances, the scene shows Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s initiative to integrate the birangona women into the society by honouring them. Then, in the second act, it proceeds to portray the prejudice and discrimination festering between the different sexes and ethnic groups. The act ends with the message to eradicate sectarianism and sexism, for they will stunt a society’s growth. The third act features the promise of the forthcoming generations to create a better tomorrow. Colourful costumes, elaborate dance choreography, classical and contemporary songs and poetry, made the performance captivating. The production is choreographed and directed by S M Raihanul Alam.

The festival concluded on Saturday with a cultural programme.