The four-day ‘Nazrul Natya Utsab 2026’, organised by Bashori, a centre for Nazrul studies and cultural practice, will be held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from July 25 to 28, featuring theatre productions, Nazrul songs, recitations and dance performances.

The festival was originally scheduled to take place last month to mark the 127th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam but was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.

The rescheduled festival will feature performances at the National Theatre Hall and Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, with shows beginning at 7pm each day.

The festival will open on July 25 with an inaugural ceremony, followed by Bashori Repertory Theatre’s production “Boner Meye Pakhi”, directed by Sajjad Saju, at the National Theatre Hall.

On July 26, Bashori Repertory Theatre will stage “Aleya”, directed by Golam Sarwar, at the National Theatre Hall. The Studio Theatre Hall will host two productions—Barishal Shishu Theatre’s “Putuler Biye”, directed by Sonaya Khan, and the Department of Theatre Arts of Rabindra Srijonkala University’s “Bouyer Biye”, directed by Dhiman Chandra Barman.

Image

The July 27 schedule will feature Genesis Little Theatre Group’s “Sokal Belar Pakhi”, adapted by Kamal Hossain and directed by Nur Hossain Rana, alongside Bashori Repertory Theatre’s “Setu-Bondho”, directed by Golam Sarwar, at the National Theatre Hall.

At the Studio Theatre Hall, Sirajganj-based Matribhoomi Cultural Academy will stage “Putuler Biye”, directed by Shahana Moni, while Bohor Theatre will present “Swami-Strir Jhogra”, directed by Hasan Ferdous.

On the final day, July 28, Bhor Holo Kushtia will stage “Putuler Biye”, directed by Naushin Nawar Masud Prithibi, at the Studio Theatre Hall. The festival will conclude with Metho Poth Theatre’s “Haradhoner Biye”, directed by Shamima Akter Mukta.

Image

Alongside the theatre productions, the festival will also feature Nazrul songs, poetry recitations and dance performances at the open-air stage on July 25, 26 and 27.

The programmes, hosted by Tito Munshi and Irene Parveen Lopa, will feature artists from the Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad, Kabya Kuhak, Bangladesh Jatiya Abritti Parishad, Suranandan-Nazrul Sangeet Charcha Kendra, Gendaria Kisholoy Lalitkala Kendra, James of Nazrul, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha, Grahaswar, Bulbul Lalitakala Academy and Bashori.

The open-air programmes will be free and open to all.