KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 25
Jayaraj Kumar Roy Danuwar Kathmandu The second edition of the Nepal International Theatre Festival (NITFest) 2022 kicked off with the slogan 'Theatre for Social Transformation: Celebrating Diversity' at Mandala Theatre, Thapagaun on November 25.
Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Jeevan Ram Shrestha inaugurated the nine-day festival that saw prominent personalities from different walks of lives including renowned Indian actress Shabana Azmi in the opening ceremony.
The actress of films, television and theatre, who is in the Capital specifically for the theatre festival, was full of praise for it and its organisers.
"I am very excited because to be a part of a festival dedicated to social transformation and celebration of diversity - it is something that is required in modern time. Theatre and art has an ability to create a climate of sensitivity in which there is possibility of changes to occur," she said.
Azmi, who will also be conducting a master class on November 26 at the festival, added during the inaugural ceremony, "One feature of Mandala Theatre that I cherish is that it has been created by theatre goers. Such a creation does not exist in this subcontinent. We are therefore honouring their spirit, zeal, and love here."
The legendary actress also seemed to have a liking for Balen Shah, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City as she quipped, "Kathmandu Mayor is very dapper. He must be acting in theatre and films!"
Before this Shah, who appreciated individuals who enjoy theatre, acting, and art, had taken the stage to share his happiness over the organisation of the festival.
He expressed, "We are pleased that we can make efforts to promote art. However, we still haven't allocated a decent budget for art. But as time goes on, we have realised its significance. It is our responsibility to support the art sector."
Meanwhile, Minister Shrestha focussed on the cultural diversity of Nepal as he expressed, "Our Nepal is full of diversity... And theatre is an ideal platform to reflect and capture Nepal's diversity and history."
He also appreciated "the Mandala Theatre's fantastic job of promoting tourism and fostering ties between people of different and cultures" through this theatre festival.
Laxman Gautam, Director of Nepal Tourism Board, meanwhile shared an interesting context: "When scientific intervention took place in the world, there were two great concerns - would painting survive photography and would theatre survive cinematography? But, neither of them died because these two - painting and theatre - are the most organic production on earth as they come from palpations of human heart and its originality. Theatre thus will continue to survive through all times."
He added, "Mandala Theatre has brought rainstorms in Nepali art. Nepal has been a fertile place for performance from the very beginning. Performance art is beyond any kind of boundaries. It is the art of humanity. Our culture is full of drama and legendary writers - 125 active communities and 123 languages make very lively theatre."
A total of 18 plays from 12 countries that include the US, Bhutan, Uruguay, Italy, Spain, Russia, India, Sri Lanka, the UK, Cambodia, Argentina and Nepal will be staged during the festival that ends on December 3.
The first edition of the festival was held in 2019. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the second edition has been possible after a hiatus of three years. Festival director Srijana Subba said, "We had to face COVID-19 crisis. But because of the love of public, we have been able to bounce back and organise this NITFest."
Briefing more about the plays being staged during the festival, she said, "The plays being staged this time will address diverse issues - from global warming to social change - and the festival will also feature a variety of workshops."
Stephanie Theis, Peace Advisor and Consultant for GIZ in Nepal, said, "It is an opportunity to get engaged in social change. Theatre demands teamwork and participants who are passionate. We have a vision for a better world and such festivals do have positive responses. It will definitely promote diversity."
Theatre artiste Michael Thonhauser said, "Art needs support and there is will to support from local people to flourish art and theatre in Nepal. It is a joyous moment to build a network and motivate each other."
Senior actor Tika Pahari, who seemed excited to be present at the opening ceremony, said, "In such festivals we get an opportunity to interact with a wide range of artistes and spectators. Attending a celebration where we can explore a variety of knowledge is a lot of pleasure."
He added that this festival "mostly honours the younger generation".
Ranjana Oli, an actor from Mandala Theatre who will be seen in the play Kubhindo Ko Katha said, "I have an experience of going to festivals in other nations. But inviting other people to our event is a unique experience. The attendees come to this festival with faith in the artiste and with hope. And we have a duty not to let them down."
Indradhanush - Yo Chhimal Kaa Saat Natak, a book penned by seven young writers under the mentorship of senior theatre artiste Anup Baral and filmmaker Anup Subedi, was also released.
The book that comprises script of seven plays by the writers is the result of a theatre workshop.
"There is an extreme shortage of theatre writers in Nepal. A lot of individuals want to be actors and actresses, but not many want to be writers... So, we held a playwriting workshop for five to six months to promote the art of theatre writing. In order to write this book, we interviewed 45 candidates, and in the end, we chose seven," Baral shared in a brief conversation with THT.
The first day of the festival also saw the staging of two plays - Katha Kasturi and Buddha Ra Bhikaari - along with a musical performance Breath and Beat by Salil and Nawaraj.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 26, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
