BANGLADESH / BANGLADESH

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Last Revised: 03-02-2005


Population: 112 000 000
Telephone Code: 880
Bangladesh Centre of the International Theatre Institute


Address:
House 10A
Road 25A, Block A, Banani
1213 Dhaka
Tel: 2 9894016 - 8832728 - 8832370 - 8832280
Fax: 2 8811664
Email: iti@adexpressions.com

Opening hours-Horaires:
Sunday - Thursday 5 - 8 pm


Board Members:
Members of the Executive Committee:
Président: Ramendu MAJUMDAR
Vice-President: Aly ZAKER & Abdus SELIM
Sec.Gen: Ataur RAHMAN
Sec. International Affairs: Assaduzzaman NOOR MP
Sec. Organisation: Nasiruddin YUSUFF
Sec. Publications: Mofidul HOQUE
Sec. Programmes: Sara ZAKER
Sec. Archives: Liaquat Ali LUCKY
Sec. Finance: Debaprosad DEBNATH

Members:
Abdullah AL-MAMUN,Mamunur RASHID, Keramat MOWLA, Shafi AHMED, Sisir DATTA, Tariq Anam KHAN, Milon Kanti DEY, Ahmed Iqbal HAIDER, Pijus BANDOPADHAYA, Nazma ANWAR, M. Hamid, Syed DULAL, Moloy BHOWMICK, Minu HUQ, Nasrul HAQ KHOKAN.


Nbr of Members: Individual -150
Date Centre founded: --1982

ITI Committee and Project Group contact persons:
CIDC: Nasiruddin YOUSUFF, Communication: Mofidul HOQUE, Dance: Minu HUQ, Drama: Sara ZAKER, Theatre Education: Shafi AHMED, New Theatre: Ataur RAHMAN, Playwrights: Aly ZAKER
Role & Services:
To inform Bangladesh theatre community about happenings in this field around the world and project
Bangladesh theatre abroad. Complimentary theatre tickets arranged for visiting theatre persons. Library service.


Activities & Events:
World Theatre Day and International Dance Day celebrations.
Seminars and Workshops.
Theatre and Festivals.
Publications


Newsletter title-Titre du bulletin: News (English and Bengali)

Other Publications:
World of Theatre (5 volumes). Documentation of 7 International Seminars. Brochures World Theatre Day Messages (English, French & Bengali)

Histoire récente du Théâtre
Recent Theatre History
BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005

RECENT HISTORY OF THEATRE IN BANGLADESH
In Bangladesh the staging of plays, especially in the urban areas, began as a regular medium of performing art soon after the independence of the country in 1971.

Before that, between 1947 and 1971, when the country used to be known as Pakistan, theatrical activities were sporadic and occasional. These were mostly one-off plays staged to mark special occasions attended by invited guests.

During the British colonial days, however, presence of urban theatre was very strong. Centred around the city of Calcutta the movement created ripples in almost all district headquarters of undivided Bengal. At the partition in 1947, Calcutta became part of India, and East Pakistan (Bangladesh) was cut off from the theatre centre. However, with the independence of Bangladesh a new wave of enthusiasm was observed in almost all fields of art and culture. Starting in the capital city of Dhaka staging of plays on regular basis spread to many smaller towns of the country.

The content of the plays reminiscent of most third world countries, remained political in most cases.
Add to it, the fresh memory of a protracted battle that most theatre personalities fought, hands on, during the war of liberation in 1971. Even Shakespeare was viewed politically. The reason why "Macbeth" became a run-away success while "A Midsummer Night's Dream" did not.

A lot of adapted or translated plays by playwrights like Brecht, Zuckmayer, Albee, Molnár, Anouilh, Beckett, Ibsen, Molière , Shakespeare, Chekhov, Dario Fo, Ariel Dorfman, Irwin Shaw, Wole Soyinka, Arthur Miller, Gogol and Girish Karnard were also
performed with alacrity as were plays originally written in Bengali.

Alongside urban theatre, in the rural areas of Bangladesh a strong tradition of folk theatre (Jatra) was present from a long time ago. The Jatra companies are fully professional touring companies traveling across the country, rendering their performances usually in village fairs, carnivals, exhibitions and the like. The content of these folk plays centres aroung mythology, history and also contemporary melodramas. Interspersed with song and dances these plays serve to entertain the common people. Recently, of course, Jatra is being forced to surrender its place to increasing number of cinema halls and video invasion in the rural areas.

The urban theatre of Bangladesh has a very important and almost direct role to play in the socioeconomic milieu of the country. Strong social or political messages are disseminated during pre-democratic and anti-autocratic movements or movement against fundamentalism. Plays are also used to educate common people about issues related with health, education, population control and even agricultural inputs.

Bengali classics are also performed from time to time. The plays of Rabindranath Tagore, the most prolific and gifted playwright of Bengali theatre have always been on stage. Major Tagore plays staged include Muktodhara, Achalayatan, Bisharjan, Raja, Rakto Karobi, Dak Ghar, Chiro Kumar Sabha and Dui Bone and Ghore Bairey, based on his novels. Recently a number of plays based on stories from Mahabharata with new interpretation are being staged.

The main stream theatre in today's Bangladesh are the non-profit group theatres; the members of the groups are non-professionals as they cannot earn a living from theatre, but they do theatre with professional skill and attitude.

Principaux organismes qui s'occupent du théâtre
(Ministères, organismes publics, associations professionnelles)

Main organisations concerned with theatre
(Ministries, organizations, unions, professional associations)

BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005
Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariate, Dhaka 1000 
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (Academy of Fine and Performing Arts), Segun Bagicha, Dhaka 1000 
Bangla Academy, Burdwan House, Dhaka 1000 
Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, 49/2 Siddheswari Circular Road, Dhaka 1217 
Sommilito Sangskritik Jote (Combined Cultural Alliance), 19/1 Kakrail, Dhaka 1000 
People's Theatre Association, Road 7B, House 59, Block H, Banani, Dhaka 1213 

Principaux Théâtres, Opéra, Ballet, Danse etc.
Main Theatres, Operas, Ballets, Danse etc.
BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005
Nagorik Natya Sampradaya, 4, Nao Ratan Colony, New Bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9567669 - 0171-560782, Contact: Ataur Rahman and Aly Zaker (Artistic Directors) 
Theatre, 144, New Bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9330986, Contact: Abdullah Al-Mamun (Artistic Director), Comments: Publishes a magazine: "Theatre" 
Dhaka Theatre, 12/1 Kha, Purana Paltan Line, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8315357, Contact: Nasiruddin Yusuff (Artistic Director) 
Aronyak, 47 Indira road, Farmgate, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8124262, Contact: Mamunur Rashid (Artistic Director) 
Natya Chakra, Telereal, 50 Purana Paltan Line, Dhaka 1000, Contact: M. Hamid (Artistic Director) 
Dhaka Padatik, Tutul Brothers 205 Elephant Road, Islam mansion 2d Floor, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Golam Kuddus (Artistic Director) 
Loka Natya Dal, road 7B, HOUSE 59, Block H Banani, Dhaka 1213, Tel: 2-9890920, Contact: Liaquat Ali Lucky (Artistic Director) 
Mahakal Natya Samprodaya, 37, Bangabandhu Avenue (1st Floor), Dhaka 1000 
Natyakendra, 128/Ka Magh Bazar, Elephant Road, Dhaka 1217, Contact: Tarik Anam Khan (Artistic Director) 
Drishyapat, 55 Purana Paltan (1st Floor), Dhaka 1000, Contact: Nehal Ahmed (Artistic Director) 
Theatre (Arambag), Guide House, 2 New bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Keramat Mowla (Artistic Director) 
Shubachan Natya Sangsad, 2/10 Humayun Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka 1207 
Desh Natok, 203 Malibagh, Dhaka 1217, Contact: Shamsul Alam Bakul (Artistic Director) 
Prachyanat, 22 Dilu Road, New Eskaton, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Azad Abul Kalam (Artistic Director) 
Shamoy Sangskritik Gosthi, Zaman Villa, 527/13 Nayatola Moghbazar, Dhaka 1217, Contact: Akhtaruzzaman (Artistic Director) 
Nagorik Natyangan Ensamble, 10/C Asad Avenue, Mohammadpur, Dhaka 1207, Contact: Jamaluddin Hossan (Artistic Director) 
Arindom Natya Samprodya, 60, High Level Road, Lalkhan Bazar, Chittagong Contact: Sisir Dutta (Artistic Director) 
Ganayan Natya Samprodaya, 36, Ayesga Khatun Lane, Chandanpura, Chittagong  
Tirjok Natya Dal, 492 Love Lane, Chittagong Contact: Ahmed Iqbal Haidar (Artistic Director) 
Tirjak Natya Gosthi, 37, S. S. Khaled Road, Kazir Dewri, Chittagong Contact: Rabiul Alam (Artistic Director) 
Kheyali Group Theatre, Asad Mansion (1st Floor), Sadar Road, Barisal Contact: Mintoo Bosu (Artistic Director) 
Shabdabali, Lucas Building, Sadar Roa, Barisal Contact: Syed Dulal (Artistic Director) 
Barisal Natok, Kalibari Road, Barisal Contact: Nikhil Sen (Artistic Director) 
Bogra Theatre, Nabab Bari Road, Bogra Contact: Towfik Hasan Moina (Artistic Director) 
Bodhon Theatre, 2/1 Ambika Charan Mukherjee Road, Thanapara, Kushtia Contact: Ali Afroze Pinu (Artistic Director) 
Anusheelon Natydal, Department of Management, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi Contact: Malay Bhowmic (Artistic Director) 
Sandhani Natya Chakra, Modhubarn Corner, 12 Madhubarn Market, Bandarbazar, Sylhet 3100 
Kathakali Prantic Milanayatan, Hospital Road, Sylhet 3100 
Sarathi Natya Samprodaya, Sat Raster More, Mahigonj, Rangpur  
Padatik Natya Sangsad, The Daily Star, 19 Kawran Bazar, Dhaka Contact: Shamsul Huda ChowdhuryContact: (Artistic director) 
Dhaka Nandanik, 27 Kalabangan, North Dhanmondi, Dhaka  
Bahubachan, Care Taufiqur Rahman, ACI Ltd, 9 Motijheel CA, Dhaka 1000 
Udichi (Drama Section), 14/2, Topkhana Rd, Dhaka 1000 
Theatre Art Unit, 229/2 West Dhanmondi, Modhu Bazar, Dhaka  
Theatre Art Drama Group, 83 Lake Circus, Kalabangan, Dhaka 1205, Contact: Azizus Samad (Artistic Director) 
Natyajon, Sayeeda Villa, Plot 8, Road 2, Block C, Section 2, Mirpur, Dhaka 1216, Contact: Tabibul Islam (Artistic Director) 
Shuniyom Natya Chakra, 19 Neeltuly, Mujib Road, Faridpur Contact: Amindur Rahman Farid (Artistic Director) 
Baishakhi Natya Gosthi, Pashim Alipur, P.O. Ambikapur, Faridpur Contact: Muhammad Ali Rumi  
Angon Theatre Unit, 18 Alkaran Lane, Chittagong  
Samikoron Theatre, Care Roy Watch Service, 393 Sirajuddowla Road, Andarkilla, chittagong  
Theatre Workshop, 126 Sheikh Mujib Road, Agrabad, Chittagong  
Barnochora Natya Gosthi, care Lucky Decoration, Comilla Road, Chandpur 3600 
Jibon Sanket Natyagosthi, Town Hall Road, Habigonj 3300 
Khoai Theatre, Town Hall Road, Habigonj 3300 
Rajshahi Theatre, Alupatti, Rajshahi 6100 
Bogra Natyadal, Altafunnessa Park Road, Bogra 5800, Contact: Shymal Bhattacharjee (Artistic Director) 
Bogra Natyagosthi, Motarry Ali Lane, Satmatha, Bogra 5800 
Padakshep, Rail gate, Dodown Road, Gaibandha  
Pabna Theatre '77, College Road, Traffic More, Pabna  
Tarun Samprodaya, Momtaz Cinema Hall, EB Road, Sirajgonj Contact: Asaduddin Poblu  
Nabik Natyagosthi, Kalibari Road, Sirajgonj  
Rangpur Natya Chakra, Town Hall Campus, Rangpur  
Rangpur Natya Kendra, c/o Razzaq Murad, Telephone Office Bhaban, Rangpur  
Biborton Jessore, Keshablak Sarak (Sangeet Para), Jessore 7400 
Ankur Natya Academy, Amontron Confectionery, HSS Road, Jhenaidaha  
Theatre Circle, Care Bindu Art Publicity, Super Maker, Munshigonj 1500 
Shabdo Natyacharcha Kendro, 139/2 Kapashgola Road, Chawkbazar, Chittagong  
Loka Natya Dal (TSC), Teacher Student Centre, Dhaka University, Dhaka Contact: Shameem Ahsan (Artistic Director) 
Nandimukh, Royal Logistic Services, Al-Islam Chamber, 4th Floor, 91 Agrabad, C.A., Chittagong Contact: Abhijit Sengupta Comments: Publishes a magazine ‘Frontline Theatre' 
Uttaradhikar, Anuska Medical Hall, Sugandha City Corporation Market,Sughanda R.A., Panchlaish, Chitaggong  
Dhaka Theatre Mancha, 1163/A Khilgaon Chowdhurypara, Khilgaon, Dhaka  
Natyadhara, C/O Aloke Basu, AdComm, House 7A, Road 41, Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212 
Kanthosheelon, C/O Golam Sarwar, 3/C, Jhigatola, 3rd Floor, Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1209 
Oikik Theatre, 12 Allama Iqbal Road, Narayanganj  
Faridpur Theatre, C/O Kazi Aminul Islam Rumi, Ambika Sarak, Jhiltuly, Faridpur 7800 
Pratinidhi Natya Sampraday, Nandan-5, CDA C.A., Momin Road, Chittagong  
Cox's Bazar Theatre, Rakshit Pustakalaya, Rakshit Market, Main Road, Cox's Bazar 4700 
Theatre Art, Cox's Bazar,, C/O Nazibul Islam,, Dainik Cox's Bazar, Public Library Market, Cox's Bazar 4700 
Zoom Aesthetic Council, Tridipnagar Sarak, Banarupa, Rangamati  

Principaux festivals des arts de la scène
Main performing arts festivals
BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005
National Theatre Festival (Dhaka), Period: usually December / January, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Segunbagicha,, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8614673/6, Contact: Mr. S. M. Mohsin  
National Street Theatre Festival (Dhaka), Period: February 1 7, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, 49/2, Siddeswari Circular Road, Dhaka 1217 
Group Theatre Utsab (Chittagong), Period: usually January / February, Group Theatre Forum, Shilpakala Academy, Mehdibag, Chittagong  
Street Theatre Festival, Period: January, Bangladesh Patha Natok Parishad, Epic, Aziz, Super Market, Shahabagh,, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Mr. Mannan Hira  
Children's Theatre Festival, Period: March, People's Theatre Association, Road 7B, House, 59, Block-H Banani, Dhaka 1213 
National Theatre Festival, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation and Bengal Foundation, 4 Nao Ratan Colony, New Bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Period: February 

Principales écoles des arts de la scène et départements de théâtre des universités
Main performing arts schools & university theatre departments
BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005
Theatre School, 10 B Eskaton Garden Road, Dhaka 1000, Contact: National Professor : Kabir Chowdhury (Principal) 
Prachyanat School of Acting & Design, 22 Dilu Road, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Azad Abul Kalam  
Drama and Dramatic Department, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka Contact: Dr. Selim Al-Deen  
Theatre Arts and Music Department, Dhaka University, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Ms. Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya (Chairperson) 
Fine Arts Department, Chittagong University, Chittagong  
Drama Department, Rajshani University, Rajshani  

Principaux centres de documentation théâtrale
(musées,bibliothèques etc.)

Main performing arts resource centres
(museums, libraries, research & documentation centres,specialist publishers & bookshops etc.)

BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005
Sufia Kamal Central Public Library, Shahbag, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8626001 /8610422 
Biswa Sahitya Kendra, Mymensingh Road, Banglamotor, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-500471 
Bangladesh National Museum, Shahbag, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8619396-9 
Liberation War Museum, 5 Segunbagicha, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9559091/2 
Bangla Academy, Burdwan House, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8619577 
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Segunbagicha, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9561709, 9562801-4 
National Library, Agargaon, Dhaka  
Bangladesh National Film Archive, New Ganobhaban Complex, Dhaka  
British Council, 5, Fuller Road, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8618905-7 
Russian Cultural Centre, House 510, Road 7, Dhanmondi, Dhaka Tel: 2-9116314 
Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, House 26, Road 3, Dhanmondi Mirpur Road, Dhaka Tel: 2-8611557 
Goethe Institute, House 10, Road 9, Dhaka 1205, Tel: 2-9126525 
American Center USIS, House 110, Road 27, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Tel: 2- 8813440-4 
Varenda Research Museum, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi Tel: 721-2752 
Theatre Bank, Road 7B, House 59, Block H, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Contact: Liquat Ali Lucky 
Theatre School Library, 144 New Bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Kurshid Alam  

Principaux journaux et revues des arts de la scène
Main performing arts magazines
BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005
Theatre, Frequency: 4 issues per year, Dhaka Chamber Building, 6th Floor, 65-66 Motijheel C. A., Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9562380, 7169918, Contact: Ramendu Majumdar, (Editor), Comments: Created: 1972. Circulation: 1200) 
Theatrewalla, Frequency: 4 issues per year, 1/25 Razia Sultana Road, Dhaka 1207, Contact: Hasan Shahriar, (Editor), Comments: Created: 1998. Circulation: 500 
Dui Banglar Theatre, Frequency: 4 issues per year, Reza Cottage, Rahmannagar, Bogra 5800, Contact: Selim Reza Sentu, (Editor), Comments: Created: 1998. Circulation: 700 
Frontline theatre, Frequency: 4 issues per year, 19, Momin Road (2d Floor), Andarkilla, Chittagong Contact: Abhijit Sengupta (Editor), Comments: Created 2000, Circulation: 500 
Shudhu Natok, Frequency: 4 issues per year, 25/4 Engineering University Quarters, Bakshibazar, Dhaka Contact: Dr. Inamul Huq (Editor), Comments: Comments: Created 1995, Circulation: 500 

Bibliographie - oeuvres de référence
Selected Bibliographic data - important references
BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005
Madhyayuger Bangla Natya, ALDEEN, Selim (Dr.), Bangla Academy, Dhaka  
Madhyayuger Bangla Natya, ALDEEN, Selim (Dr.), Bangla Academy, Dhaka  
Bangla Natyakosh, ALDEEN, Selim (Dr.), Shiksha O Sanskreeti Charcha Kendra, Dhaka  
Achinpakhy Infinity, Indigenous Theatre of Bangladesh, AHMED, Syed Jamil (Dr.), University Press Ltd., Dhaka  
Bangladesher Natyacharca O Natoker Dhara, BISWAS, Sukumar (Dr.), Bangla Academy, Dhaka 
Bangla Natok: Utsho O Dhara, IBRAHIM, Neelima (Dr.), Nowroz Kitabistan, Dhaka  
Unish Shatake Bangladesher Theatre, MAMUN, Muntasir (Dr.), Suborna City 
Unish Shatake Dhakar Theatre, MAMUN, Muntasir (Dr.), Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka  
Samaj Sangskar Andolon O Bangla Natok, MURSHID, Gulam (Dr.), Bangla Academy, Dhaka  
Bangladesher Natycharcha, MAJUMDAR, Ramendu (Editor), Muktadhara, Dhaka  
Bangladesher Natycharchar Tin Dasak, MAJUMDAR, Ramendu (Editor), Anyaprakash, Dhaka  
In Praise of Niranjan (Islam, Theatre and Bangladesh), AHMED Syed Jamil (Dr.), Pathak Samabesh, Dahka  
Unnayan Nattya: Tattwa O Prayog, AHMED, Syed Jamil (Dr.), Samabesh, Dhaka  
Banglard Loko Oitjhyo Lokonatyo, ASGAR Saikat (Editor), Bangla Academy, Dhaka  
Bangladesh Natok, ROSY Aratika, Banga Academy, Dhaka  
Bangladesh Natoke Nari, Purush o Samaj, AWWAL Sajedul, Ananto Prokashon, Dhaka  
Natya Provanda Bichitra, RAHMAN, Ataur, Bangla Academy, Dhaka  


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