100-year old abandoned stage in Lalmonirhat hosts theatre festival

Lalmonirhat’s MT Hossain Institute, a century old stage, has hosted a theatre festival after nearly five decades. The Natya Utshaber Ashor 2019, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the Lalmonirhat District Shilpakala Academy, kicked off on Friday evening at the  MT Hossain Institute premises, theinternationally renowned cultural centre abandoned for almost five decades.

Five theatre groups performed at the event which drew a huge crowd and took the centennial stage back to its heyday.  

MT Hossain Institute’s hundred year old heritage and current circumstances were described to the audience by the event’s presenter and local school teacher, Azizul Haque Mollah, during the inauguration of the drama festival.

Lalmonirhat Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rafiqul Islam, legendary freedom fighter Captain (retd) Azizul Haque Bir Pratikk, poet and litterateur Ferdousi Begum Beauty, Lalmonirhat District Shilpakala Academy official Mohammad Faizullah, and cultural activist Mujibur Rahman, attended the inauguration event as special guests.

All of the guests said in their speech that  the MT Hossain Institute should be reopened right away. They also demanded that the cultural centre  be made an education centre for people of all classes and professions, and play an important role in establishing a new society based on the spirit of the country’s Liberation War.

After the discussion session, “Kaljoyee Moncho Nibhrite Kade,” produced by Shamim Ahmed, Uttam Kumar Roy, and Akter Hossain, starring Abdul Jabbar Mollah, was staged as the first play of the festival. The whole story of the play was based on the famous stage of MT Hossain Institute.

Also, Bornomala Theatre’s “Hobar 9,”  a composite drama about the contemporary local political scene, directed by Motiar Rahman, was staged during the festival. Porshi Theatre’s “Shey Kaler Golpo,” directed by Saidul Haque, and Sapko Theatre’s “Dulalir Biye,” directed by Anil Chandra Roy, were also staged at the event.

Lalmonirhat Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rafiqul Islam, said: "I did not know the fact that a hundred year old institution named MT Hossain Institute is in such neglect in Lalmonirhat. The cultural scenario of Lalmonirhat will become very rich if this grand organization is revived to its former glory. People of this region will have to come forward to protect and build this historical site. The district administration will also assist in its restoration.”