Theatre Festival begins in New Delhi
Three Bangladeshi groups to stage plays
Ershad Kamol, From New Delhi
The National School of Drama (NSD) is presenting the eighth chapter of its Bharat Rang Mahotsav in Delhi. Inaugurated on January 2, the theatre festival has gained stature as an event showcasing the multifarious linguistic, cultural and performing traditions of India as well as several other Asian countries. The festival has been recognised as a regular international theatre event by the International Theatre Institute and Unesco. Eminent Hindi novelist Kamaleshwar inaugurated the 13-day theatre festival that includes 61 plays at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. Neena Ranjan, secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, was the special guest. The opening ceremony was presided over by Amal Allana, chairperson of NSD while Professor Devendra Raj Ankur, the director of NSD, delivered the welcome speech. Among the 14 participating plays from outside India, three Bangladeshi troupes are staging plays in the festival. Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT) staged Sonaibibir Pala on January 3 at Sri Ram Centre; Raarang, an Aranyak Natyadal production, will be staged today at Abhimanch, NSD campus. Department of Theatre and Music, University of Dhaka, will stage Behular Bhashan on January 10 at Bahumukh, NSD campus. Other participating countries are China, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Lebanon and Iran. Popular Peking Opera, a traditional Chinese opera troupe, staged seven traditional fables on the opening day. The colourful presentation with spectacular acrobatic movements of the artistes seemed to overcome the language barrier. Their presentations -- Exploring the Valley, A Woman Fighting throughout the Fort City Gate, The Village of Hu, Autumn River, Picking up a Jade Bracelet, Heavenly Maid Strewing Flowers and San Cha Kou -- were a pleasant treat for the audience.
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A scene from the Peking Opera |
