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Kartik Hazarika National Theatre Festival 2019 gets under way

By Shambhu Boro

TEZPUR, Jan 4 - Commemorating the social contributions of one-time AASU and AGP leader, cultural activist and noted theatre personality late Kartik Hazarika, ABSU president Pramod Boro on Thursday urged all concerned in the society to come forward and work together for the development of every caste and community living in Assam.

Boro, who came to take part in the week-long Kartik Hazarika National Theatre Festival 2019 which started on Thursday at the Church Field here, after unfurling the �Flag of Integrity� in the morning, also said that the present society in Assam is suffering from mistrust, dishonesty and severe hatred.

�To overcome this disturbing situation, we have to be sincere in sharing others� problems, besides being caring and sensitive in giving adequate respect to others.�

He said the spirit of integration among the different communities was the most distinguished feature of a heterogeneous region like Assam with an awesome diversity of cultures which leads to dissolution of all parochial differences.

�If we can love and care for each other by avoiding all sorts of negativity towards different castes and communities, it will help us in building our identity and character, promote a feeling of unity, solidarity and cohesion despite socio-cultural, regional, religious, linguistic and economic diversities,� he observed.

Recalling Kartik Hazarika�s contribution towards the self-determination struggle of the Assamese people, the ABSU supremo further mentioned that the youths have to lead the society by imbibing the ideology of the social stalwarts.

Mentioning Tezpur�s hold as the culture capital of the region, he also mentioned how drama plays a vital role in changing a society. He gave a clarion call to one and all to devote selflessly in the nation-building process. Claiming that rapid urbanisation was severely hampering human culture and civilisation, he emphasised on the importance of bridging the gap between the rural and urban divide.

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 Chitrabon 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 first day�s event of the week-long national-level mega drama festival were homage to the icons, unfurling of Jangam�s flag, homage to the martyrs of the Assam Movement, commemoration of late Kartik Hazarika, felicitation to noted theatre personalities, inauguration of a special photo gallery named, �The days of Assam Movement� through Abdul Munnaf�s camera, beginning of theatre village preparation, inauguration of book fair and inauguration of the week-long theatre festival.

The plays to be staged by various internationally-acclaimed drama groups at different locations, including Bhupen Hazarika Kalabhumi, District Library auditorium and Nehru Maidan during the week-long mega event are Macbeth by 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 Dr B Jayashree, Chanakya by Mumbai-based Dharam Jam and directed by Manoj Joshi, Kabir directed by the 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 part of this drama festival. Various workshops, seminars and a book fair by Prakashan Parishad will also be held on the occasion.

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