Safiqur Rahman, Nagaon:The two-day 7th annual “Rodghai Bebejia” Theatre Festival began today in the open fields near Juria Namghar at Bebejia in Nagaon district, attracting a large gathering of theatre lovers and local residents. The festival is inspired by the unique and rare theatrical tradition introduced by renowned dramatist Shukracharya Rabha, where plays are staged in a natural environment without the use of mechanical sound or artificial lighting (Open Sky Theatre Festival).
The event commenced with the hoisting of the festival flag by Rodghai Bebejia president and artist Pradyumna Goswami. Playwright and theatre director Biswajit Borthakur lit ceremonial lamps before the portraits of Shukracharya Rabha, singer Zubeen Garg, playwright Rafiqul Hussain, and actor Ganesh Hazarika.
The festival stage was formally inaugurated by noted playwright Ajit Borthakur. On the opening day, several plays were staged, including “Rong Berong” written by Ajit Borthakur and presented by Chandrajyoti Sangha, Nagaon; “Agrahya” written by Premananda Sharma and performed by Jyoti Rongmanch, Nagaon; and “Kon Pathor Pathik” written by Mintu Kalita and staged by Oikantik Cultural Group of Nagaon.
On the second day tomorrow, plays by Ban Theatre, Tezpur, Arihana Natya Goshti of Nagaon, and Rodghai Bebejiya’s own production will be presented.
The inaugural programme, hosted by actor Dip Bora, was attended by several prominent personalities including playwright Ajit Borthakur, retired professor Mohini Mohan Deka, theatre directors Pabitra Kalita and Gagan Choudhury, teacher Jyoti Prasad Bora, vice-principal Ranjan Hazarika, and many other cultural activists and theatre workers.
Hundreds of people from different parts of the district gathered at the open venue and enjoyed the performances till evening. The second day of the festival will begin tomorrow from 1 p.m.