Jatio Patha Natok Utshob 2005, arranged by the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) in association with Bengal Foundation, began from February 2 and was the first theatre festival of the year. Many popular theatre troupes such as Aranyak, Dhaka Padatik, Padatik Natya Sangsad, Prachyanat and others staged their plays in two venues -- Shaheed Minar premises and Rabindra Sarobar near Dhanmondi Lake.

Two more theatre festivals were held in February -- one arranged by Nagorik Natyangan and the other arranged by Udichi Central Drama Branch.

In the weeklong drama festival (from February 6-12) arranged by Nagorik Natyangan, at the National Theatre Stage at Shilpakala Academy, Nagorik Natyangan, Centre for Asian Theatre and Abhash, a theatrical group from India, participated.

Udichi Central Drama Branch arranged a six-day long drama festival at Mahila Samity Stage, which began from mid-February. Udichi Drama Branch, Aranyak Natyadal, Prachyanat and Padatik Natyashongshod were the participants in the festival.

Some of the prominent theatre troupes premiered their latest productions in February. Nagorik Natya Sampradaya staged a trilogy-- Gandharir Abedon, Karna-Kunti Shangbad and Biday Obhishap from Rabindranath Tagore's Sanchoita. All the excerpts of the trilogy have been drawn from the Mahabharata, but Tagore had his own interpretation -- all the central characters in the play express different aspects of human rationality. Moreover, the trilogy has an anti-war tone. Ataur Rahman directed the plays.

Dhaka Theatre presented the premiere show of Binodini Dasi's autobiography-based narrative Binodini, in February at the Mahila Samity Stage. It was a solo performance by Shimul Yousuff. Nasiruddin Yousuff is the director of the play.

Bangla Theatre staged the premiere show of Che'r Cycle, based on the revolution led by Che Guavara in the Latin America. Mamunur Rashid is the playwright while Faiz Zahir is the director of Che'r Cycle.

In March, Center for Asian Theatre staged the experimental bilingual play-- Metamorphosis-- adapted by Anisur Rahman from Franz Kafka's surrealistic fiction The Metamorphosis. The play shows the existential imprisonment of a character by social and economical demands. Kamaluddin Nilu is the director of the play.

The silver jubilee celebration of Dhaka Padatik is another major event in 2005.The eight-day festival, at the National Theatre Stage, also showcased theatre productions from local and Kolkata troupes.

Sixty-five groups participated at the 14-day Children Theatre Festival, organised by the People's Theatre Association at the Public Library Auditorium from March 10.

A few theatre troupes, formed in 2005, staged their premiere shows. Newly formed troupe, Janmasutra staged Ahorkandal directed by Kamaluddin Kabir. Natya Teertha, another new theatre troupe, staged their first production Kamola Shundori, a story from Mymenshingho Geetika. Prangone Mor staged its two productions -- Shyama Prem and Swadesi in 2005.

Palakar's latest production Mangula was also a well-received stage play in 2005. Dramatist Golam Shafiq depicted the struggle for survival of an indigenous community against in this play. Aminur Rahman Mukul is the director of Mangula. Other acclaimed productions of the year were -- Katha '71, Sonai Bibir Pala, Ohe Tanchak, Samayer Proyojone and Chhayanaut.

Dhaka Padatik's latest production Katha '71, by Kumar Pridip Baul, is set against the backdrop of the massacre by the Pakistani military regime on the Bangalees in 1971. Debashish Ghosh directs the play.

Zahir Raihan's popular short story based play, Samayer Proyojone, a Theatre Art Unit production, is also a drama based on our freedom movement. M Bari is the adaptor and director of the play.

Young playwright Raihan Aktar's play Sonai Bibir Pala is an adaptation of a love story of Purba Banga Geetika. Through the tragic end of the central characters' affair, the playwright has dealt with a very contemporary issue -- the conflict between religion and humanism. Sonai Bibir Pala, directed by Kamaluddin Nilu, is the latest production of Centre for Asian Theatre.

Theatre (Natok Sarani) premiered their latest production -- Ohe Tanchak, a play by Professor Momotazuddin Ahmed -- in 2005. Ohe Tanchak is a satire on the current spurt of the religious fanatics who misuse peoples' faith for their personal benefits. Momotazuddin Ahmed is the director of the play.

Nagorik Natya Sampradaya premiered another production at the end of this year. Chhayanaut, Utpal Dutt's play, depicts the transience of 'starism' in media. Aly Zaker is the director of Chhayanaut.

At the end of 2005, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGRF) arranged a 10-day theatre festival. The title of the festival was "For the welfare of Mujibur Rahman Dilu and other theatre activists". The festival took place at the Experimental Theatre Stage of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.