Scene from “Kathopokathan”. Photo: Mumit M.

To promote emerging theatre activists, Prachyanat has organised a four daylong theatre festival, titled "Mahola Magan". The festival opened on March 15 at Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
It was drizzling on the well-decorated roof of the auditorium. Prachyanat artistes were rendering songs from their popular productions.
The convenor of the festival, Taufiqul Islam Emon, welcomed the guests from other theatre troupes -- Dipak Sumon and Apel Shahriar of Aranyak; Zaman and Pantha Shahriar of Nagarik Natya Sampradaya; Utpal Chakraborti and Poly Biswas of Mahakal; Kazi Faisal and Shamim Sagor of Palakar; Munna and Chandan of Bottola; Rawnak Laboni and Samad Bhuiyan of Swapnadol. Renowned theatre personalities Mamunur Rashid and Azad Abul Kalam, director (acting) of Prachyanat, were also present on the occasion.
On the opening day, two in-house productions of Prachyanat -- "Kathopokathan" and "Trishonku" were staged.
The first act of "Kathopokathan" zooms in on the distress of dirt-poor people at the hands of Mohajon (moneylender) while the second act portrays a heated debate between an atheist writer and God. The third act depicts how the materialism dominates idealism. The lure of things produces existential crises amongst human beings.
Written and directed by Rinkon Shikdar, the cast included Shanta, Mitul Rahman and Rinkon Shikdar. Jem directed the music, while Abul Hasnat Bhuiyan was in charge of light design.
Directed by Hira Chowdhury, the other play of the day was "Trishonku". The production is based on improvisation. Set in Italy, the three-act play highlights the triumph of love over social barriers, fate etc.
The cast of the play included Parvin Sultana Koli, Hira Chowdhury and Rifat. Jem along with Nobel and Shahriar Shawn directed the music while Parvin Sultana Koli choreographed the production.
Today two productions "Patar Khela" and "Bioscope" will be staged at the festival.