Loko Natyadal turns 38

Popular theatre troupe Loko Natyadal will celebrate its 38th founding anniversary today. To mark the occasion, the troupe has organised  two-day long commemorative programmes at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The members of Loko Natyadal began the celebration with staging their much-acclaimed production Sonai Madhab yesterday at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). Directed by Liaquat Ali Lucky, the production is based on a story from Mymensingh Geetika, a collection of traditional ballads. Sonai Madhab weaves the tale of romantic tragedy between Sonai and Madhab, the leading characters in the play. The play is a dramatic depiction that weaves woes, agonies and dilemmas of women in a traditional narrative way.

The cast of the play included Roksana Akter Rupsa, Zahidul Kabir Liton, Liakaut Ali Lucky, Rahima Khatun Nila, Mamun Hossain, among others.

The troupe will organise a special programme today at 6:30 pm at the National Theatre Hall of BSA where Loko Natyadal Gold Medal 2019 will be conferred to three renowned thespians -- Late Kalyan Mitra, Professor Abdus Selim and Tariq Anam Khan. Later, the troupe’s new production Amra Tinjon will be staged at the same venue. Renowned theatre personality and the Director General of BSA, Liaquat Ali Lucky has directed the play adapted from a Buddhadeb Basu story. To pay tribute to the honest and dedicated theatre personality the troupe constituted Loko Natyadal Gold Medal in 1991.

Loko Natyadal, which was founded on July 6, 1981, is credited with creating around 60 productions including theatre, street and musical plays. The troupe has performed at the theatre festivals in different countries including Japan, USA, UK, South Korea, India, Russia, Turkey, Hong Kong, Nepal and Laos.