TEZPUR, Nov 18 - The laikhuta of the first-ever Kartik Hazarika National Theatre Festival slated to be held from January 3 with a week-long programme was erected at a ceremony held at Nehru Maidan here on Wednesday by noted social activist Dr Lakhi Goswami.
The president of the organising committee Alok Nath, secretary Jiten Borthakur, chairman of Assam Book Publication Board Rajen Borthakur, and Aishwarya Kakoti, among others, were present at the ceremony.
Meanwhile Jangam, a socio-cultural organisation here in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs of the State Government is organising the first edition of the Kartik Hazarika National Theatre Festival as a tribute to the Late socio-cultural-political activist from Tezpur.
It may be mentioned here that Late Kartik Hazarika was actively associated with the historic Baan Theatre of Tezpur and served as its president till his death. He had also held the post of chairman of Jyoti Chitraban and was a part of several Assamese films. He was also a prominent leader of the All Assam Students� Union (AASU) and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).
The plays during the festival will be staged at multiple locations, including Bhupen Hazarika Kalabhumi, District Library Auditorium and Nehru Maidan, wherein various internationally-acclaimed drama groups are slated to perform during the week-long drama festival.
�Alok Nath, organising secretary of the mega drama event while promoting the proposed programme mentioned that notable among the plays are Macbeth by Padmashri awardee Ratan Thiyam�s group Chorus Repertory Theatre, Don-Taake Bhalo Lage by Kolkata-based Chetana Club, Apne Paraye by Theatrewalla of Delhi and directed by Himani Shivpuri and Ramji Bali, Kannada play Panchali by Bengaluru-based Spandan and directed by Padmashri awardee Dr B Jayashree, Chanakya by Mumbai-based Dharam Jam and directed by Padmashri awardee Manoj Joshi, Kabir directed by Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi Dr Shekhar Sen, Ismat Apa Ke Naam by Motley Theatre and directed by renowned actor Naseeruddin Shah, Aeserenga Rod by noted Assamese playwrights Pranjal Saikia and Purnima Saikia and produced by Sanskriti Mancha, Assam, Jibit Ya Mrit directed by Dr Anuradha Kapoor with Seema Biswas in the cast, Khamoshi Sili Sili by National School of Drama Repertory Company directed by Suresh Sharma, Director of National School of Drama, Mukha Mukhi by Surjya and directed by Nayan Prasad, Sons of Earth Mother, the last directed play of Late Sukracharya Rabha and produced by Badungduppa Kala Kendra of Goalpara and Kola Aina (the Black Mirror) produced by Jangam, Tezpur and directed by Alok Nath respectively.
Adil Hussain and several illustrious personalities from the world of theatre will be a part of this drama festival which is being organised with active participation of various leading citizens and organisations of Tezpur in an attempt to put Tezpur, which boasts of the historic, century-old Baan Theatre, on the cultural map of the country.
Various workshops, seminars and a book fair by Prakashan Parishad will also be held as a part of the festival.
Condolence meet: Earlier, a condolence meet was held recently by the Assam Judicial Service Association�s Tezpur unit and staff members of the District Judiciary here to condole the sudden demise of Justice (retired) SN Phukan, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
The meeting was presided over by District and Sessions Judge of Sonitpur, AK Borah, who expressed deep sorrow over the death of Justice (retired) Phukan.
As a mark of respect to the departed soul, the members observed two minutes silence and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.