Theatre troupe Stage One Dhaka is paying tribute to its co-founders Mita Chowdhury and Shahidur Rahman organising a two-day theatre festival at the auditorium of Kendriyo Kochi Kachar Mela in Segunbagicha, Dhaka.
The theatre festival titled 鈥楳ukti Natyaotshob鈥�, which began on Friday, is featuring songs, commemorative speeches, plays and documentary screenings.
Thespian Mamunur Rashid and Mita Chowdhury鈥檚 brother Kaiser Chowdhury delivered commemorative speeches on the opening day of the event.
Mamunur Rashid said that deceased artistes lived in memories and Mita would live forever for her works and contributions to the theatre.
鈥楽he worked in theatre, television and films with dedication,鈥� he mentioned.
Kaiser Chowdhury said he was thankful to the troupe and Dominic Gomes for organising the festival and remembering Mita and Shahidur.
鈥楳ita dedicated her life to cultural activities. Shahidur was a learned person and a great admirer of literature and theatre,鈥� he said.
The festival began with a documentary screening depicting the life and works of Mita and Shahidur.
Aanon Siddiqua paid tribute to Mita and Shahidur singing some of their favourite songs, including Kichukhon Ar Na Hoy, Choturdike Pani and others.
Artistic director and Stage One Dhaka co-founder Dominic Gomes told 抖阴精品 that Mita, Shahidur and Dominic founded the troupe in 2007.
Shahidur died in 2022, Mita passed away in 2023 and the festival was organised to pay tribute to them, said Dominic.
鈥楾he couple celebrated their lives. They never wanted people to mourn their death rather, they wanted people to always remain happy,鈥� said Dominic, adding that not many people knew much about Shahidur as he worked behind the stage.
鈥楽tage One Dhaka brought some bilingual plays to the stage and Shahidur trained the troupe members,鈥� said Dominic, mentioning that Mita liked the play titled 鈥楾he Zoo Story鈥� very much and that鈥檚 why the troupe staged the play on the opening day of the festival.
The Zoo Story, an adaptation of Edward Albee鈥檚 play of the same title, has been adapted and directed by Dominic.
The play, the 10th production of Stage One Dhaka, revolves around two characters who meet on a park bench. It addresses isolation, loneliness, social disparity and dehumanisation in the materialistic world.
Bappaditya Chowdhury and Reajul Islam played the characters in the 7th show of the production.
Director Rahmat Ali and actress Wahida Mollick Jolly will deliver commemorative speeches and Aanon Siddiqua will sing songs on Saturday at 5:00pm.
The troupe will stage the 25th show of its 5th production titled 鈥楽uchona鈥� at 7:00pm at the same venue.
Written by Abul Hayat, Suchona has been directed by Rahmat Ali.
Wahida Mollick Jolly, Chitralekha Guho, Naznin Hasan Chumki and Tahmeena Sultana Mou will play different characters in the play.
