Bhubaneswar: For the second consecutive year, the Odisha Sahitya Akademi and Odisha Natya Sangha successfully organized ‘Shruti Natak Utsav’ where eminent playwright Dr Bijay Mishra’s four acclaimed plays were presented by four theatre groups from eastern, western, northern and southern zones of the Odisha Natya Sangha.
The festival was held at the conference hall of Sanskruti Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, on Sunday.
Often described as an audio drama, ‘Shruti Natak’ differs from a radio play in a significant way. While radio plays rely solely on voices and sound effects, audio dramas allow audiences to watch performers deliver their dialogues live, creating a unique theatrical experience.
With no make-up, costume, light design, props or elaborate stage craft to rely on, the artistes proved that powerful storytelling can still win hearts. Their nuanced performances left the audience comprising playwrights, theatre directors, actors and theatre enthusiasts thoroughly captivated.
The programme was graced by Special Secretary of Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department Deba Prasad Dash, secretary of Odisha Sahitya Akademi Dr Chandrasekhar Hota, eminent litterateur Tarunakanti Rout and theatre critic Dr Bijay Choudhury who inaugurated the event by lighting the auspicious lamp. Odisha Natya Sangha’s president Mihir Kumar Meher and secretary Sudhanshu Mohan Dwibedy also shared the dais.
The festival featured Dr Bijay Mishra’s four plays such as ‘Taa’ri Laagi’, ‘Last Train’, ‘Ekada Labanya’ and ‘Janta’.
Under the able direction of Sriman Narayan Mishra, the opening play ‘Taa’ri Laagi’ was presented by Paradip-based theatre group Canmass.
While the production featured seven male and one female artistes, Manoj Sutar scored the music.
The second production ‘Last Train’, was presented by ‘Sobha Ebang Kalakar’, a Balasore-based theatre group. Directed by Sritam Kumar, the play featured ten artistes, including one female performer. Singh was also the music designer of the play.
Similarly, Swara, a theatre group from Sambalpur, staged ‘Ekada Labanya’. Under the direction of Manas Ranjan Mishra, five male and one female artistes left the audience captivated. Satyanarayan Sutar’s music added depth to the production.
The festival concluded with ‘Janta’, staged by six male and three female artistes of Damayanti Kala Parishad, a theatre group from Kotpad, Koraput. While its director was Prakash Mohanty, Manoj Samantaray was its music designer.
On this occasion, Dr Bijay Mishra’s son Arindam Mishra was felicitated.
The inaugural edition of the festival was held in January last year to commemorate the birth centenary of legendary playwright Manoranjan Das. On that occasion, four of his celebrated plays such as ‘Sadhana’, ‘Buxi Jagabandhu’, ‘Katha Ghoda’ and ‘Klanta Prajapati’ were staged.
