Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s one of the pioneering theatre institutions ‘Satabdira Kalakar’ on Friday celebrated its grand Golden Jubilee at Bhanjakala Mandap with much fanfare and reflection.
To mark the occasion, a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Social Relevance of Drama” was organized in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Branch of the Sahitya Akademi. The session, held from 10 AM to 2 PM, featured a galaxy of eminent personalities including Narayan Sahu, Bijay Kumar Satpathy, Narendra Mishra, Satyabrata Rout, Gauranga Rout, Prabodh Rath, Chaudhuri Jayaprakash Das, Lalatendu Rath, and Upendra Prasad Nayak, who each shared their insightful perspectives.
The discussion was inaugurated by veteran theatre personality Ananta Mahapatra, while officer in charge, Sahitya Akademi, Eastern Region, Kshetrabasi Nayak delivered the welcome address.
The event drew a large gathering of theatre enthusiasts and notable personalities from the Odia theatre fraternity.
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The first session was presided over by Gourahari Das, with Shatabdir Kalakar’s General Secretary Dhira Mallick extending a warm welcome and later offering the vote of thanks.
The second session was chaired by Purnachandra Mallick, during which the institution’s advisor Bijay Kumar Das expressed his gratitude to the participants and audience alike.
As part of the cultural segment, the play ‘Harmonium’ was staged in the evening, written by Gourahari Das, adapted for stage by Bijay Satpathy, and directed by Dr. Alok Agnivesh. Based on a heart-wrenching tale from the aftermath of the 1999 super cyclone, the performance deeply moved the audience.
On this occasion, General Secretary Dhira Mallick announced the continuation of the Golden Jubilee festivities, with upcoming presentations of the plays ‘Biplabi Krutibas’ on April 21 and ‘Banchhara Bagicha’ on April 22 at Rabindra Mandap. He further noted that a year-long series of theatre events will follow as part of the ongoing celebrations.
Established on April 18, 1976, Satabdira Kalakar has been instrumental in promoting Odia theatre and nurturing local talent. The golden jubilee festivities aim to celebrate the organization’s legacy and its contributions to the cultural landscape of Odisha.
