BARPETA, March 10 � The Natasurya Phani Sarma Birth Centenary special 22nd national theatre festival conducted by Rangghar, a premier cultural organisation of Barpeta will be held here with a four-day-long programme from March 19 to 22 next. According to information provided by Rangghar sources several reputed organisations both from and outside the state have confirmed their participation in the four days extravaganza to be held in the auditorium of the district library.
As per schedule the festival will be formally inaugurated by internationallly famed theatre worker H Kanhailal at 5-30 pm on March 19 next. Veteran dramatist and ex-president of Asom Natya Sammelan Dr Arun Sarma would be felicitated on his receiving the prestigious Padma Award this year. Besides Achyut Lahkar and Dharani Barman two pillars of the drama movement of the State will also be felicitated that day. Arrangement has been made to pay special tribute to Natasurya Phani Sarma which will be inaugurated by Rajya Sabha MP Kumar Dipak Das deputy commissioner of Barpeta Phanidhar Kalita will grace the inaugural function as a special guest.
The festival will be kicked off by Once Upon A Time a play to be performed by Kalakshetra Manipur and directed by H Kanailal on the evening of March 19. Host Rangghar will perform Lunnati Munnati Gunnati the same day. On March 20 Sundaram Nagaon will stage Nabajyoti Bora directed Bhupali Gadhuli Rupali Bahi and Shigal Guwahati will perform Baharul Islam directed Akash.
Dapon The Mirror from Tangla and Himachal Rapartory from New Delhi will perform Pabitra Rabha directed Mangali and Suresh Sarma directed Sakaram Binder respectively on March 21.On the concluding day of the festival Pramath Das directed Chiraj will be staged by Ban Theatre Tezpur while Swapnasandhani Kolkata will perform on June 19 directed by Koushik Sen.
Apart from drama performances there will be several programmes for the students and theatre workers on March 20 and 21. Renowned actor and director Baharul Islam and Suresh Sarma from National School of Drama repertory will participate in the programme.
