For the first time ever, a three-day long theatre festival entirely based on plays by Kazi Nazrul Islam took place at the National Theatre Hall from March 22 to 24.
Organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the festival features four plays, either written by the national poet or inspired by his work, by five troupes by double staging the same play.
Sophomores from Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University and Jatiya Kobi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, among other troupes, Loko Natyadal and Prangonemor, have taken part in the festival.
The inaugural session was followed by the staging of Nazrul’s three-act play “Shilpi” by the theatre department of Rajshahi University. Directed by Arif Haider, the play depicts the story of an artist faced with the dilemma of choosing between his passion and his family commitments.
On the second day, the theatre department of Jatiya Kobi Kazi Nazrul Islam University’s play “Setubandha” depicted mankind’s desire to hold sway over nature and the dire consequence of that desire. The staging was followed by Loko Natyadal’s version of the play “Shilpi.”
The festival ended with the staging of “Roti Arotir Kabya” and “Droho Prem Nari,” by the drama and dramatics department of Jahangirnagar University and the theatre troupe Prangonemor respectively. The first is adapted and directed by Anan Zaman from one of Nazrul’s short story “Sapure.” And the latter is based on Nazrul’s lyrical drama “Aleya,” which depicts the love story of a king and a queen from two neighbouring states.