Theatre in Bangladesh

The presence of festivities in Bangladesh is all embracing and as old as time. The history of drama and its performance is very old. Before Independence, during the administration of many regimes. It has traversed paths of glory. Although it was never smooth and had to face many adverse circumstances. Our dedicated performers and all who are connected with performing arts, have shouldered the great responsibility of taking this type of arts with the application of modern tecnics in the field of patronization, staging, with a to reaching the common people, in the post-independence period. In short, it may very well be said that drama is the outcome of our tradition and our drama is our pride. Without the existence of any stage worth its name in Bangladesh dramatists have, during the last 25 years, produced and staged many dramas of high quality. The news of our achievements in drama has reached world, crossing the boundaries of Bangladesh.

The member of drama groups in Bangladesh, which are included in the list of group theater federation, is about 145 at present. Although the stage performance of drama in Bangladesh started in the sixties, the history of such performance in exchange of payments is only about 25/26 years old. That means, this type of performers art started on regular basic only after the war of Independence in 1971.

Today everybody can recall the role played by the students of the University of Dhaka during the mid-sixties in the movement against political and economic deprivation prevalent in the then east Pakistan. Do to the tremendous political surge of those days when the activities in the cultural field was at a stage of utter neglect, the teachers-students center came into being, almost unnoticed. Basically this center was created with the purpose of a shake-up in the cultural life of the Dhaka University. Under the auspices of this ”Theater student center”, A drama was staged with the active help and co-operation of drama personalities like Abdullah-al; Mamun, Ramendru majumder and others. The drama was titled “kritadasher Hashi”(A stave’s laugh) written by the famous literature and educationist “showkat Osman”. The script was given the shape of a drama by Ramendu majumder. Possibly this is the first and the last drama production of that center till today.

These groups have attained prominence by the untried zeal and effects of the famous drama personalities like Abdullh-Al-Manun, Ramendu Majumder, Mamunur Rashid, Nasiruddin yousshouf, Humayun Faridi, Fardousi Majumder, Suborna Mustafa and others.

The drama in Bangladesh is mostly Dhaka curtained and opportunities in Dhaka are also quite considerable, but work going on in places outside Dhaka. Unfortunately they do not get that much publicity and the newspaper & magazines also do not show much interest in this regard.  As a result, regional specialties, which are integral parts of theater, do not get opportunities to flourish.

Although the age of our performers art in the time of theater is about 30/31 years, no stage has yet been constructed which is exclusively meant for this type of performers art. Generally dramas are staged in different auditoriums or halls in the city where no arrangement of light & sound systems are available. Naturally therefore, a good amount of money is required to be spent for these facilities. In specially, most of the time dramas are staged in the “Guide House stage” and”Mohila Shomity Stage”. There were the salient features of problem in staging dramas up to this time.

In consideration of the persistent t demands of the theater workers and drama directors, of Dhaka City Corporation has recently constructed an modern theater hall named “ Dhaka Mohanagor natya mancha”, where modern facilities and equipment have been included. Though this venture is very inadequate in new of the demand for dramas, we would expect that such facilities would be available in many places outside Dhaka city and the regional theaters, instead of being only Dhaka untied shall spread throughout the country. This will help in precarious the regional characteristics, So long there has never been any scarcity of drama workers to promote has theatrical activities that has always been the scarcity of patronization.

But  Theater workers expectation and demand a full facilties stage for long time which was full filled on December 4,2004. A modern Theatre was open on Shilpokola Academy area named " National Theatre".The National Theatre, that includes a 750-seat main hall and a 300-seat experimental theatre hall, has been built at a cost of over Tk 38 crore. The first phase of the National Art Gallery project with special lighting facilities in an area of 70,000 square feet.The second phase of the art gallery, including a display area of 85,000 square feet and a 300-seat auditorium along with stage and cafeteria.

Society for Education in Theatre
144, New Bailee Road, Dhaka – 1000.
Phone: 9343187, 018214765.

About Theatre School
In Bangladesh, learning scope in the domain of dramatics is quite limited. beside the trifling number of government universities having honors courses on this subject, Theatre School is the sole non-government arrangement of its track in the whole country. The Society for Education in Theatre has been conducting it to regularly provide a one-year certificate course on theatre.

1990 is the year of the school’s commencement. Finance has always been a major troublesome factor about it same as about many other private programmes. The Ford Foundation agreed a grant for three years with a view to development and enhancement of Theatre School, when the school was five years old. With the help of its execution, every year, a special three-month course had been arranged at two places outside Dhaka. A rich theatre library has erected. Publication, as well, has been processed of books useful to theatrical artists. That grant expires in the mid-1998. And, since January 2001, the Bangladesh Freedom Foundation has been a new patron. The three-month training course has got a revival at Thakurgaon.

The one-year certificate course starts in Baishakh of every Bengali year. Any below-35 (yrs.) person having passed the higher secondary academic level can apply to it for entry. In the Bengali year of 1407, its seat number of round 70 has got reduced to round 30. Classes are taken thrice a week. The total session consists of three terms; each term takes four months. On completion of the year-long certificate programme, the students play, as their classroom production, one or two stage-drama(s).

Theatre School’s plans specially include an immediate arrangement of yearly round table dialogues on theatre. It has been holding a motto of continuously harvesting some such trained theatrical performers who would turn round the theatre of Bangladesh.

At a glance:
1. Establishment: 24th August, 1990
2. Running one-year batch: 12th
3. Number of students having completed
the one-year course (up to the 11th batch): 753

Course inclusions:
1. Aesthetics (theoretical)
2. Theories of theatre (th.)
3. History of western theatre (th.)
4. History of eastern theatre (th.)
5. History of theatre in Bangladesh (th.)
6. Perceptions/spirits of theatre (th.)
7. Theories of acting (th.)
8. Analysis of drama (th.)
9. Acting (th. & practical)
10. Participation in production (pr.)

Course Fee: (Subject to alteration)
One-year one at Dhaka: Taka 2,500/= (one time)
Three-month one at Thakurgaon: Taka 300/= (one time)
Teachers / Trainers:
Pr. Kabir Chowdhury, Principal
Abdullah Al-Mamun, Vice-Principal
Ramendu Majumdar, Secretary( Managing Council)
Abdus Selim
Anisul Islam Hiru
Ataur Rahman
Bhaswar Banerjee
Biplab Bala
Farhad Zaman Palash
Ferdousi Majumdar
Golam Sarowar
Israfil Shaheen
Jillur Rahman Jan
Kazi Abu Jafar Siddiqui
Laila Hasan
Mafidul Haq
Mustafa Manowar
Muttalib Biswas
Narayan Biswas
Niranjan Adhikary
Shafi Ahmed
Shahin Kabir
Sharmila Banerjee
S. M. Mohsin

Syed Manzurul Islam
Tamanna Rahman

Nagorik Natto Somproday
4, Nowratan Colony
New Baily Road
Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh
Tel. 9342305, 898110

Theater (Baily Road)
144, New Baily Road
Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh
Tel. 9562380, 9568326

Aronnok Nattodol
Apic Book Center
36, Aziz Co. Market
Shahabag, Ground Floor
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tel. 8110070
Mobile: 019380998

Dhaka Theater
11/1, KA Purana Paltan Lane
Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh
Tel.  011855597

Theater (Topkhana)
399/A, New Escaton
Dhaka - 1217, Bangladesh
Tel. 413910

Nattochokro
1009, Malibug (Bisho Road)
Dhaka - 1217, Bangladesh
Tel. 9338479, 017528318

Padatik Natto Sangsad
C/O: Salim Shamshul Huda Chowdhury
43, Central Road
Dhaka - 1205, Bangladesh

Dhaka Podatik
Student-Teacher Center
Dhaka University
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tel. 018225622, 019341991

Nundonik Natto Shampraday
Road No. 4/A, Bari No. 60
Dhanmondi
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Pratidhoni Natto Goshti
Pratidhoni Baban
136, Shakhari Bazar
Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh

Shomoy Shangshcritic Goshti
C/O: Aktaruzzaman
Zaman Villa, 527/13, Nayatula
Mogbazar (1st Floor)
Dhaka - 1217, Bangladesh

Theatre Groups In Bangladesh

Mohakhal Natto Shomproday
37, Banga Bandu
Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh
Tel. 9565858, 8619583, 8619550

Boishakhi Nattoghosti
58, Kazi Alauddin Road
Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh

Shonglap Group Theater
Kalasha Homeo Hall
1-F, 5-1, Mirpur-1
Dhaka - 1216, Bangladesh

Dristypath Natto Shampraday
34/1-A Ahmed Bag, Bashabo
Dhaka - 1214, Bangladesh

Dhaka Nattom
Bari No-1/E/3, Sharak 7/A (new)
Dhanmondi, Dhaka - 1209, Bangladesh

Shubachan Natto Shangshad
C/O: Mijanur Rahman
K-13 Kazi Najrul Islam Road
Mohammedpur
Dhaka - 1207, Bangladesh
Tel. 7313788, 7312407

Rangana Natto Goshti
46/2, Naya Palton
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Lion Theater
47, Awlad Hossain Lane
Islampur
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Karok Natto Shangshod
Eash Asiatic Ad. LTD
4 Nourathon Coloni
New Baily Roda
Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh

Biborton Sanshkritik Center
Student-Teacher Center (1st Floor)
Dhaka University
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Theater Center
4 Green Road
Dhaka - 1205, Bangladesh

Patshala Nattochakrow
50/1, Abdul Aziz Lane
Pilkhana
Dhaka - 1211, Bangladesh

Dhaka Nandonick
27, Kalabaghan
South Dhanmondi
Dhaka,  Bangladesh

Gonosya Shangshcritic Shangathon 
272, Donia Road
East Dolipar
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abolokon
C/O: Mustafa Kamal Shajal
24/2, Escaton Garden (1st Floor)
Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh

Bangladesh Theater 
C/O: Lipika Printing Press
85, Arambagh
Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh

Dhaka Mancho
C/O: Jamiur Rahman Lemon
583/C, Malibagh Chowdhury Para (2nd Floor)
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Paribartan Natto Nattogosti
Mass Advertizers
12/A, R.K.Mission Road (2nd Floor)
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Desh Natok
203, Malibagh
Dhaka -1217, Bangladesh

Shoibal Nattochakro
92, Circullar Road
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Khealy Nattogosti
33 No. Muradpur
Rojov Ali Shardar Road
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka Theater Moncho
1163/A, Khilgaow Chowdhury Para, Khilgaow
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka Drama Nattodol
C/O: M. Abu Harun Tito
271, Boro Mugbazar (1st Floor)
Dhaka - 1217, Bangladesh

Theatre and Cultural Center In Bangladesh

National Theatre

Segunbagicha,Dhaka

Shilpakala Academy 
Segunbagicha, Dhaka-1000
Tel: 9561709, 9562801-4, Fax: 9562853

Mohila Samity Moncho

New Baily Road, Dhaka

Tel: 9337050

 Guide House Moncho

Guide House, New Baily Road, Dhaka

Tel: 8315501, Fax: 8315592

National Museum
Shahbagh, Dhaka, Tel: 86199396-9, 505269 

Bangladesh Shishu Academy

Old High Court Road,Dhaka

Tel: 9550317,9564728

Public Library

Shahbag,Dhaka

Bangla Academy
Dhaka University Area, Dhaka-1000
Tel: 8619577, 8619583, 8619550
Fax: 8612352
Email: bacademy@citechoo. 

Nazrul Institute 
House# 330B, Road # 28 (Old)
Dhanmondi R/A., Dhaka-1209
Tel: 9114500, 9114602, Fax: 9118051
Email: nazrulin@citecho.net

Alliance Francaise De Dhaka
26, Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 86115557, Fax: 8616462
Email: alliance@gononet.com 


British Council
5, Fuller Road, Dhaka-1000
Tel: 8618905-7, 8618867-8, Fax: 8613375
Email: britcoun@thebritishcouncil.net

Bulbul Lalitkala Academy 
7, Wise Ghat, Dhaka-1100

Center for Education Creative & Performing 
64/C, Green Road, Dhaka-1205
Tel: 508113, Fax:8113324

German Cultural Center 
House 10, Road 9, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel:9126525, 9126526, Fax: 8110712
Email: verw@dhaka.goethe.org 

Indian Cutural Center 
754, Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 8117163, 8117527, Fax: 8117527

Russain Cultural Center 
House# 510, Road# 7, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 9116314, 9118531, Fax 8113026
Email: roscult@citechco.net