Theatre festival in Rajshahi ends

Thursday, January 7, 2010

The weeklong theatre festival concluded Tuesday night with renowned theater personalities from Dhaka assembling in the northwestern city of Rajshahi at the staging of Selim Al Deen's play "Dhaboman".

Bangladesh Gram Theatre and Sammilito Sangskritik Jote President Nasiruddin Yousuff; theater personality Shimul Yousuf and drama critic Nripendranath Saha of West Bengal delivered speeches at the brief concluding ceremony.

The ceremony was followed with the entire audience lighting candles at Rajshahi Medical College Auditorium. The song "Agun-er Poroshmoni Chhoao Praney" played in the background.

"This huge crowd indicates that Rajshahi craves for quality theatre," said Nasiruddin Yousuff, praising Rajshahi Theatre's initiative.

"The root of a nation is its culture. Culture helps a nation remain united," he added.

Last Monday Shimul Yousuf performed in another Dhaka Theatre production "Binodini".

Actor Shahiduzaman Selim who plays Nahabat Ali in "Dhaboman" said, "Having witnessed the audience at the 'Binodini' show, we were inspired and tried to give our best when staging 'Dhaboman'."

Esha Yousuff, daughter of Nasiruddin and Shimul, plays the protagonist Sohrab, the buffalo, in the play.

Rajshahi University's Anushilon Natyadal staged "Bhumi Konya". The story was based on the Tebhaga movement, following Ila Mitra, the legendary activist who led the farmers in their struggle for their rights. The play was written and directed by Moloy Bhowmik, a teacher of Rajshahi University.

Kamar Ullah Sarker Kamal directed Rajshahi Theatre's "Bhut-er Bhoy", a play written by Kazi Nazrul Islam. Other plays staged at the festival were "The Communicator" and three West Bengal plays "Ami Meye", "Ghum-er Manush" and "Hottyare" -- produced by Juagagni.

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