Ganga Jamuna theatre festival going strong

It was such a grand event when ancient Greek thespians assembled at the natural amphitheaters of the Great Dionysia in Athens, also called City Dionysia. This was an ancient dramatic festival of the same name from which tragedy, comedy, and satiric drama originated.

Some 2,500 years later, Dhaka, the capital city, is witnessing an evolution of the enthusiasm and festivities, that celebrate the rich culture and splendor of theatre through the Ganga Jamuna Cultural and Theatre Festival. This distinctive array of performing arts presents a variety of plays, recitals, singing, and dance performances simultaneously at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's Studio Theatre Hall, National Theatre Hall, and Experimental Theatre Hall, as well as at Bangladesh Mohila Samity's Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium.

The 12-day-long festival will not end for another six days, but this popular annual event was already drawing crowds in most of the capital's renowned theatre halls on Monday, as theatre enthusiasts flocked to the venues for their favorite shows.

By noon on Tuesday, an eager crowd had gathered at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's National Theatre Hall to purchase tickets for performances at the cultural festival, which is entering its 11th year. The BSA premises hosted a crowd who were to be mesmerized by three great performances: the popular and pioneering theatre troupe Prachyanat's "Achalayan," Indian theatre troupe Ajker Prajannma's "Adhora Madhuri," and Natnandan's "Bishpabaner Geet," all running simultaneously.

Apart from more elaborate performances in BSA's and Mohila Samity's cozy theater halls, the festival also featured various street performances, offering an immersive experience for the visitors who remained glued to the acts until the very last minute, even while holding umbrellas in their hands.

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172 theatre troupes to perform in Ganga Jamuna Cultural Festival 2022

If you are in awe of different genres of performing arts, the festival is the perfect place for you, showcasing the best performances from renowned and acclaimed artists from Bangladesh and India.

Talking to the Daily Star, the convener of the Festival Committee, Ghulam Kuddus, said, "We are experiencing an enthusiastic crowd this year, even amidst the political instabilities in the country and abroad, and severe traffic congestion. Through this festival, we want to provide our audiences with a means to remember and stand for what we as a nation stand for: secularism and cultural harmony."

'Through the joy of theatre and performing arts, we want to remind our countrymen of the rich cultural heritage we have and how progressive our culture has always been. Not only the young generation, but we all need to celebrate our culture, as religious extremism besieges us,' said the cultural activist.

Secretary of the Festival Committee Akhtaruzzaman said, 'If we don't engage the young generation in this craft, we will soon lose our most treasured cultural asset. We organize this festival every year to bring theatre to the masses, who may not know how spectacular the theatrical experience can be.'

'We have put great effort into choosing and arranging these theatre troupes and performances so that we can blend our cultural heritage with secular harmony and festively create such experiences for our countrymen, giving them nuances of creative and progressive thinking,' said the acclaimed theatre activist.

While Pranganmor's "Eersha," Dhaka Theatre's "Panchanari Akhkhyan," and Theatre's "Nikhai" will be staged on Wednesday, here is the schedule for the coming days from 7 PM onwards:

Thursday (October 12): Tauquir Ahmed's directorial "Tirthojatri," Protivas's "Jaya Prajayini," and "Balmiki Pratibha."

Friday (October 13): Doll's Theatre's puppet show, Taming of the Wild (at 5 PM and 7 PM), "Bhourer Baranda," and "Sharnamayi."

Saturday (October 14): Bafa's dance drama "Nakshikathar Math," "Pirchaner Pala," and "Bhalobasa."

Sunday (October 15): Indian theatre troupe Aneek's "Brahman," Hritmancha's "Happy Days," and Shoukhin Theatre's "Antaraler Ayna."

Monday (October 16): Folk Theatre troupe "Amra Tinjon," Indian troupe Gobordanga Naksha's "Binodini," and Bhishon Theatre's "Gulliverer Sofor."

On its concluding day, October 17, the festival will draw its curtains with Bangla Theatre's play "Nil Darpan".