The first-ever Munier Chowdhury National Theatre Festival kicked off yesterday at the Training Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). The festival, scheduled for February 28, will feature 16 plays across eight categories, carefully chosen from a 15-day production-based theatre workshop conducted nationwide.

The inaugural ceremony of the eight-day Munier Chowdhury National Theatre Festival took place last evening at the National Theatre Hall auditorium. The event was honoured by the presence of Md Wares Hossain, deputy secretary of the Academy, as the chief guest, while Aynun Nahar, mother of martyred Naima Sultana, officially inaugurated the festival. Asif Munier, the youngest son of martyr Munier Chowdhury, attended as a special guest, and AFM Nurur Rahman, director of the BSA Training Department, presided over the event.

After the inaugural ceremony, the performances began at 7:00pm with the Rangpur District Shilpakala Academy presenting "Chhinnomukut", an adaptation of Satyajit Ray's "Hirak Rajar Deshe", directed by Md Lahul Mia. At 8:00pm, the Jamalpur District Shilpakala Academy followed with a staging of "Postmortem", a play written and directed by Fahim Malek.

Today at 7:00pm, Jashore District Shilpakala Academy will present "Nona Kothon", written and directed by SM Latiful Khabir. At 8:00pm, Faridpur District Shilpakala Academy will stage "The Dark Crystal", with Ira Ahmed as the playwright and director.

Tomorrow's performances will start at 7:00pm with "Bhoot-Odbhut", produced by Thakurgaon District Shilpakala Academy, written by Habib Jakariya Ullas, and directed by Biplob Sarkar. At 8:00pm, Netrokona District Shilpakala Academy will perform "Bohoman Artonad", directed by Syed Mamun Reza.

On Monday at 7:00pm, Noakhali District Shilpakala Academy will present "Jaal", developed through collective ideation and directed by Das. At 8:00pm, Gazipur District Shilpakala Academy will perform "Aynaghar", directed by Santanu Halder.

Tuesday's performances will feature Fera at 7:00pm by Pirojpur District Shilpakala Academy, written and directed by Kazi Roksana Ruma. At 8:00pm, Rajshahi District Shilpakala Academy will stage "Lasher Ishtihar", with Habib Jakariya Ullas as the playwright and primary trainer, and direction by Salma Sultana.

Read more

BSA launches first-ever Munier Chowdhury National Theatre Festival

On Wednesday, February 26, at 7:00pm, Bogura District Shilpakala Academy will perform "Inquilab", written and directed by Tarek Tashahhud. At 8:00pm, Moulvibazar District Shilpakala Academy will stage "Valmiki-Pratibha", written by Rabindranath Tagore and directed by Noor-e-Nazneen.

On Thursday, February 27, at 7:00pm, Habiganj District Shilpakala Academy will present "Kobor Kinbha Shmoshaner Golpo", written and directed by Shaheen Rahman. At 8:00pm, Barishal District Shilpakala Academy will perform "Mayajaal", written and directed by Apurba Gomasta Wrik.

The festival's closing ceremony is scheduled for Friday, February 28, at 6:30pm, followed by the performance of "Borabhoy" at 7:00pm by Khulna District Shilpakala Academy, written and directed by Tanvir Nahid Khan. The final play of the festival, "Choingja Khrang (Kalponik)", will be staged at 8:00pm by Bandarban District Shilpakala Academy, conceptualised and directed by Subir Mahajan.