Drama fest a bonanza for theatre lovers

Patna: Theatre lovers in the state are having a gala time as the five-day Patliputra Natya Mahotsav got off to a colourful start on Tuesday. The fest followed soon after the nine-day theatre festival celebrated in January at Kalidas Rangalay on the occasion of birth centenary year of late Anil Mukherjee, founder of Bihar Art Theatre (BAT).
The 31st Patliputra Natya Mahotsava has been organized jointly by the Union government and state art, culture and youth affairs department in collaboration with a theatre group, Prangan.Over 350 theatre personalities from eight states are taking part in it.
"Every day a 'nukkad natak' is being performed from 4.30pm in which artists of various theatre groups like Naad from Patna, Intelligence Theatre group from MP, Rang Roop from Vaishali and Rang Saj of Patna are participating. The theme of the festival this year is 'Love' and the full-length plays being staged are focusing on its various dimensions," said Prangan secretary Abhay Sinha.
'Prem Patanga' and 'Bichchu', the two plays staged on Tuesday and Wednesday, not only entertained the audience but also sent a strong message of social harmony, love and peace to society. The plays were presented by Vihan Drama Works of Bhopal and The Performer from Udaipur.
The biggest attraction of the fest is 'Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa', which will be presented by Shri Ram Centre For Performing Arts Repertory on Thursday. Written by Mahasweta Devi, the crusader of the rights of tribals and suppressed masses, 'Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa' is the stage adaptation of celebrated Bangla novel 'Hazar Chaurashir Ma' in Hindi. Against the backdrop of Naxalbari movement led by Charu Majumdar in 1967, the play focuses on the state violence perpetrated on urban youth.
"Directed by Sameep Singh, the stage adaptation is thoroughly engrossing. The play has stirred the Hindi theatre world, which largely avoids burning political issues," said Sinha.
Some other plays to be staged are Nemesis, a presentation of Asok Nagar Natya Mukh from 24 Parganas in West Bengal, 'Chanakya' and 'Rang Rasiya Balam' to be presented by a theatre group from Medinipur and Mumbai's Destiny Theatre.