Dhaka: A month-long Jatra Pala festival marking the month of victory, December, began today at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Organized by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs under the management of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the festival features Jatra troupes from different parts of the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the festival will run every day until December 31 at the Experimental Theatre Hall of the academy. Cultural Affairs Secretary Md. Mofidur Rahman inaugurated the festival as chief guest by lighting lamps (Pradip) at the main gate of the National Theatre Hall at 5 pm today. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (Rezauddin Stalin) chaired the event while Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Secretary Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Director of Department of Drama and Film of Shilpakala Academy Deepak Kumar Goswami, and Bangladesh Jatra Shilpa Samiti General Secretary Belayet Hossain also spoke on the occasion.
Mofidul Rahman highlighted Bangladesh's cultural diversity, noting, "We have organized cultural events during the last two Eid and Buddha Purnima at Nandan Mancha, and Durga Puja at Mukta Mancha of Suhrawardy Udyan. Whenever we organize an event, we include the relevant community. We want to live in this country through an inclusive cultural environment."
Rezauddin Ahmed emphasized the educational aspect of Jatra, stating, "Jatra, nurtured by thousands of years of tradition, is not just a source of entertainment-there is education in it." He added that Jatra plays a role in resisting social injustice, crime, inequality, and drug abuse.
On the opening day, the Jatra Pala "Mrityur Chokhe Jol" ("Tears in the Eyes of Death") was performed by Surjotorun Natya Sangstha from Paikgacha, Khulna. The play was written by Debendranath, directed by Pronab Mondal, and produced by troupe owner Gopal Bairagi.
Throughout the month, a total of 31 Jatra troupes will stage 31 Jatra Pala. Tomorrow, New Johura Opera from Shibpur, Narsingdi, will stage "Kashem Malar Prem", written by Shamsul Haque and directed by Mostafizur Rahman. The ticket price for the Jatra Pala performances has been set at Tk 100, with proceeds going to the respective Jatra troupes.
Additionally, a patriotic Jatra song concert will be held daily from 5 pm at the open courtyard of the National Theatre Hall.