GUWAHATI, March 9 � Pledging to propel the theatre movement in the State and give a platform to all budding artistes, the 3rd Jyotirupa Singha Purush Radha Govinda Baruah full-length four-day drama festival kicked off today at Rabindra Bhawan here.
The festival was inaugurated by well-known artiste Anupama Bhattacharya by lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Floral tribute was paid to the portrait of the architect of modern Assam Radha Govinda Baruah. Bhattacharya in her inaugural speech described the illustrious son of the soil as a prolific and an emulative character.
Organised by socio-cultural organisation Jyotirupa, the festival will stage a total of four plays by noted theatre groups of the State.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, secretary of Jyotirupa Bhuban Lahkar said that the festival is an endeavour to introduce theatre lovers to contemporary plays and give them a feel of the experimentations going on in all aspects of theatre.
�The theatre movement has of late witnessed many changes, be it in the dramatisation front or stage craft. We hope our effort will satisfy the theatre lovers as the plays have been carefully selected,� said Lahkar, adding that Jyotirupa was committed towards promoting the amateur theatre groups and creating the conducive atmosphere for theatre viewing.
Lahkar further said that as a tribute to Rabindra Nath Tagore, the organisers this year have invited Purbaranga to present Abhishar, a play based on a poem of Tagore.
The inaugural function was attended by many eminent citizens including PG Baruah, editor of The Assam Tribune.
It needs to be mentioned here that Jyotirupa has also been organising the NE One Act play competition annually to provide the much-needed platform to the upcoming artistes. Its 32nd NE One Act play competition had concluded recently.
On the first day of the festival, Aitijya directed by well-known theatre personality Bhagirathi, was staged. This play revolving on the theme of compromise with modernism could entertain the audience. Portraying the rise and fall of a powerful family that was symbolic of the changes sweeping over society, Aitijya represented the uncertainty of the times.
PG Baruah felicitated Bhagirathi after the play was over.
