Theatre troupe Aranyak Natyadal has organised a month-long festival to commemorate its 53rd anniversary this year, featuring a series of performances and events. The celebrations will take place at the Mahila Samiti Auditorium and the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), beginning tomorrow.

Founded in February 1972, Aranyak made its stage debut on February 20 of the same year with "Kobor", a play by martyr Munier Choudhury. This year's anniversary celebrations, held under the slogan "Timir Honone Agrosor Hoye," will commence at 6pm at the Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Mahila Samiti. Following the inauguration, the theatre troupe will stage "Kobor", the production that marked the beginning of its theatrical journey.

On February 7, a video and documentary screening will be held at 3pm in the seminar hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. On February 15, a street theatre festival will take place at the Coffee House premises of BSA. On February 17, an instrumental music performance will be held at 6pm at the Experimental Theatre Hall, followed by a staging of the play "Radhang" at 7pm, written and directed by Mamunur Rashid.

On February 19, the National Theatre Hall of Shilpakala Academy will host an instrumental music performance at 6pm, followed by the play Company at 7pm, also written and directed by Mamunur Rashid. On February 20, after an instrumental music session at 6pm, the play "Mayur Singhasan" will be staged at the same venue. The play was written by Mannan Hira and directed by Shah Alam Dulal.

Aranyak's festival will conclude on February 28 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The closing ceremony will begin at 6pm at the Studio Theatre Hall, followed by the staging of the play "Kohe Facebook" at 7pm, written and directed by Mamunur Rashid.

Reflecting on the 53-year journey of Aranyak, founder Mamunur Rashid remarked, "Right after the great Liberation War, in February 1972, a few of us came together to establish Aranyak. It can be called one of the immediate cultural outcomes of independence. Since then, we have been actively engaged in theatre." 

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"Over the years, some members have passed away, some have moved abroad, and others have pursued different careers. We are grateful to all of them. In this year's festivities, we will stage some of our most significant plays, and we hope to organise another festival later featuring the rest of our productions."