Thankfully, however, the scenario seems brighter. In a few days from now, a group of cultural activists lead by Ahmed Iqbal Hiader and patronised by ABM Mahiuddin Chowdhury, the Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation, is set to inaugurate a theatre institute. On October 7, through a three-daylong cultural festival, a new Theatre Institute, Chattagram (TIC) will be inaugurated near the Central Martyrs Premises at Chittagong. Ahmed Iqbal Haider, the Director of the newly build TIC, said, 'The centrally air conditioned international standard theatre institute will provide all types of facilities like light, sound system, generator and public addressing system. Moreover, there will be a library, archive, rehearsal room and a classroom. We will also start short and long term academic courses on performing arts.'

Eminent cultural activists are elated at the news. As Ramendu Majumdar, the President of International Theatre Institute (ITI) Bangladesh, said, 'Municipal theatre is practiced all over the world. In the developed countries, the mayors of the municipality corporations consider it as a competition which leads to professionalism. I welcome this new initiative of the Chittagong City Corporation to build an international standard theatre institute where cultural activists can carry out research. I think the whole nation will benefit from it. In the near future we plan to utilise it for ITI activities.'

Mamunur Rashid, the President the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) said, 'Community centres were built in Dhaka to hold cultural events. However, the Dhaka City Corporation has not managed to do anything positive for the theatre or other cultural activities. The new institute is a modern theatrical establishment in Bangladesh. And as the city corporation will run it, the cultural activists of Chittagong will hopefully be able to organise programmes without any intervention. We hope that the rent of the 250 seated modern theatre hall will be reasonable. This new venue will help decentralise theatre from Dhaka and at the same time take the theatre practice of Chittagong one step ahead. I hope to be present at the inauguration. In December next, BGTF will arrange a drama festival in the newly build TIC.'

Ataur Rahman, the General Secretary of ITI Bangladesh said, 'TIC is a full-fledged theatre institute in Bangladesh. It will provide academic, archive, and rehearsal facilities. Theatrical groups of Dhaka can use it to stage plays. In the process, there will be a rich cultural exchange between the cultural organisations of Dhaka and that of Chittagong.'

Aly Zaker, an eminent theatrical personality said, 'Our group Nagarik Natyasampradaya will shortly go there to stage a play. With the inauguration of TIC the cultural movement of the country will go a long way. Renowned cultural activists, directors and designers will get an opportunity to work in an international standard hall. It is indeed a privilege for me and my contemporaries to work at the fabulous institute.'