Mokokchung, October 8 (MExN): The National School of Drama, New Delhi will be organizing the National Theatre Festival 2017 from October 10-15 at Mokokchung, Nagaland in collaboration with the Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland. The festival will be held at Town Hall, Mokokchung and will begin from 5:30 PM onwards on all dates, free entry.
On the inaugural night, Hill Theatre Nagaland will perform a play titled ‘Jina and Etiben’ directed by Bendang Walling. On October 11 evening, North East Theatre Academy, Assam will present a play titled ‘Kamala Kunwarir Sadhu’ directed by Simanta Phukan. Arpit Shidhore directed play ‘Madhyamvyayog’ will feature on October 12 performed by Shri Natak Mandali, Uttar Pradesh while October 13 will feature the play ‘De-dawa’ by Aktors on Stage, Punjab and directed by Dr.Sahib Singh. ‘The Net’ will be performed on October 14, directed by Vithura Sudhakaran to be performed by the crew of Suhruth Nataka Kalari, Kerala. On the last night of the festival, October 15, Sarsa from Assam will perform ‘Chinnamul’ directed by Asim Kumar Nath. The festival is being organized under Parag Sharma.
This is the first time that the National Theatre Festival is being held in Nagaland. Artistic Director of Hill Theatre, Nagaland, Bendang Walling who is also a member of the core committee of the festival said that it is being organized with the objective of letting the people know about the art of theatricals. He said that it was his long cherished dream come true to host the festival in Nagaland which he had been trying since 2013. He also said that organizing the festival in Dimapur would have been more convenient but that Mokokchung was their choice because the town offers more authentic Naga atmosphere and offers the aesthetic feeling of being in Nagaland to the visiting artistes. He added drama has always been encouraged here and that there is a “magical positive energy” in Mokokchung.
Technical Head of the festival and renowned theatre artist Papitra Rabha, who has starred in mainstream Bollywood films like Tango Charlie and Mary Kom and the Assamese blockbuster Mission China, said that the festival is being organized annually by the Extension Committee of National School of Drama, New Delhi and that the plays are selected by NSD.
Temsu Jamir, vice president of Mokokchung District Art & Culture Council (MDACC) thanked the NSD New Delhi for hosting the national festival in Mokokchung and extended invitation to all interested people to witness the plays.
He also said that the birth of the art of theatre in Nagaland dates back to the year 2008 when NDS conducted a workshop on theatricals at Mopungchuket, Mokokchung. He added that it will be a treat for those who enjoy theatricals.
Apart from the plays, outdoor folk performances by various artistes on all nights will be another highlight of the festival.
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