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Big plans for Natya Mela this year Nov 23 to 30

By Dr arvind, Section Local Artists and Performances
Posted on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 06:29:38 AM EST

To be held from Nov 23 to 30; leading theatre companies from in and around Kolkata, Bangladesh and Germany to take part

After a successful run for six years flat, this year the Paschim Banga Natya Academy has big plans for the Natya Mela or the Theatre Festival to be held from November 23 to 30. The Natya Mela is usually held immediately after the conclusion of the Kolkata Film Festival.

The Natya Mela, organised by the Paschim Banga Natya Academy, will see leading theatre companies from in and around Kolkata taking part in it. "We will allow small theatre companies to participate in the forum so that they can showcase their theatrical talents. There are two theatre companies from Bangladesh. We have a sister concern of the German Flying Fish Theatre Company coming from Germany. The original company participated in the festival last year," said Sukanto Ray, secretary of the Paschim Banga Natya Academy (PBNA).

The PBNA is a subsidiary of the Information and Cultural Department under the West Bengal government and looks after the welfare and development of theatre in the state. Last year, around 100 theatre companies participated in the festival. "This year, we expect the same number of theatre companies coming in or even more," said Ray.

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"There will be dramas staged by the different theatre companies at Rabindra Sadan, Girish Mancha, Madhusudan Mancha and Shishir Mancha. Open air plays will be held at Rabindra Sadan premises. Recorded plays will be screened at Nandan," said Ray.

There will be a photo exhibition held on the theme of theatre at the Gaganendra Art Gallery. A significant aspect of the festival is the mime performance that has been a special event for the past five years. "This year, too, we will have a significant segment on mime. Seminars and workshops on theatre subjects will be held at the Bangla Academy," Ray said.

"We have received a great response since the past six years. We hope, this year too, the Natya Mela will be a roaring success for the theatre fraternity in the state," he added.

Source- TIE, OCT-10,2006

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