Ganrapota: One of the oldest and popular theatre groups in West Bengal, Ganrapota Saptak in association with the Government of India and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata, recently celebrated its Silver Jubilee festival, spreading over five phases.
The theme of the festival was ‘Sammilito Rajat’.
The first phase of the festival started on May 22,2023 coinciding with the organisation’s birthday. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Deshraj Meena (Rajasthan),Ashish Das (West Bengal) abd Abhijit Chatterjee (Administrative Officer, E.Z.C.C.). On this occasion, five plays were staged by the invited groups like Rang Sanskar, Theater Group (Rajasthan) and Oihik Srishti Sukher Ullasi (Kolkata) and the host organisation Ganrapota Saptak.
In the Second phase, held on June 3 and 6,2023, a theatre workshop, a seminar (taught by Mr. Raja Bhattacharya) and a blood donation camp were organised.
The third phase, held at Tripti Mitra Natyagriha on September 10,2023 was inaugurated by famous theater personalities Murari Mukhopadhyay (Kamal Gandhar, Dakshineswar) and Dayal Krishna Nath (Abhinava Theatre, Assam). This phase witnessed staging of six plays by Abhinav Theater (Assam), Ranaghat Srijak (Nadia), Haripal Anyabhuban (Hooghly), Bagnan Shapath (Howrah) and Ganrapota Saptak.
Given Ganrapota Saptak’s sole aim of spreading theatre practices among the students, it conducted inter-school theatre festival on January 14, 2024 at Barnaprichaya Auditorium.
While Mr. Diptarup Das and Sir Hajarilal Chatterjee inaugurated the festival, schools like Mamavagina Bapuji Vidyapeeth,
Kumudini Girls High School , Kalupur Panchpota High School, Chandpara Banividyavithi and Ichapur High School took part in the festival.
In spite of many hurdles, the host theatre group organised it’s fifth phase of the festival with a ‘pravat pheri’ (a morning march) on March 15, 2024. A variety of tableaus ( i.e.Binodini, Girishchandra Ghosh, Ramakrishna, Sarada, Swami Vivekananda, Gopal Var, etc.) were attraction of the march.
Club Bands, Dhanki, Tribal Dance Group And the family of Ganrapota Saptak also participated in that programme. The fifth phase was inaugurated by the eminent actor Devdoot Ghosh and Abhijit Chatterjee (Administrative Officer, E.Z.C.C.) graced the seat of chief guest.
A total of 14 plays were staged in this drama festival. It became a Gala festival because of the inclusion of Street Drama, Mime, Short Drama, Solo, One act Play, Full Length Play, Hindi One act Play, Androgyny Natak, Musical Drama, Nonverbal .
As many as four plays were staged on March 15. Similarly, five plays each were played in the last two days (i.e. 16th March and 17th March). Kanchrapara Kristi, Bhumisuto Theatre, Parash Cultural Thakurnagar, Gobardanga Naksha, Patna Bayaar (Bihar), Narkeldanga Swapnil, Santipur Sanskritik , Bangaon Dhulaurania had performed their wonderful productions.
At the end of the drama festival, it was announced on the stage that the next 26th year of the drama festival organised by Ganrapota Saptak will be held in December at this Barnaprichaya auditorium.
