DOT Desk: After a successful display of as many of nine productions by different theatre troupes from two neighbouring countries, the curtain fell on the 11th edition of ‘Prangane Mor Dui Banglar Natya Mela 2019’ recently.
The festival took place on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) Segun Bagicha in the capital, The Independent.
Four theatre troupes based in West Bengal and Delhi while five prominent troupes from Bangladesh staged their plays during the nine-day festival from December 6 to 14.
With the slogan ‘I love in Bangla, I love Bangla’, Prangane Mor, one of the most popular theatre troupes in Bangladesh, organised the festival with the support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh and High Commission of India in Dhaka. From Bangladesh, Aranyak’s ‘Mayur Singhason’, Prachyanat’s ‘Pulsirat’, Bibarton Jessore’s ‘Koiborto Gatha’, Loko Natyadal (Siddhewsari)’s ‘Amra Tinjon’ and host troupe Prangane Mor’s ‘Hasonjaner Raja’ were staged during the festival.
On the other hand, Indian troupes
Kolkata Proxy’s ‘Art’, Nandipat’s ‘Abrito’, Rosikota’s ‘Jyanto Hamlet’ and Green Room Theatre’s ‘Bismilla’ were staged.An open discussion titled ‘Theater Sangkat: Darshak Na Bhalo Natok’ (Crisis in Theatre: Audience or Good Productions) was held on December 13.
Hassan Shahriar presented the keynote paper while Ratan Siddiqui, Swapan Roy, Malloy Bhowmik, Mohammad Ali Haider, Rahman Raju and Ahmed Iqbal Haider were present as the discussants at the event. Presided over by Mamunur Rashid, the programme was moderated by Ananta Hira.

‘Prangonemor Natyajoddha Sahajoddha Samanana 2019’ was conferred on Gauhar Ara Choudhury—wife of Mamunur Rashid, Shahida Rahman—wife of Ataur Rahman and Kristy Hafez—wife of Liaquat Ali Lucky.