The two-day youth festival that was organised at the Muktadhara Auditorium in Gole Market to celebrate the 156th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda by Bengal Association, concluded on Sunday with theatre performances based on social stigma, comedy and thriller, among others.
The youth fest named ‘2nd Yuva Natyotsav’ witnessed various dramas that showcased the talent of young generation from seven Delhi-based theatre groups who participated at the festival.
Neil Banerjee, who is the director of play titled as Crime and Punishment, told The Statesman, “The theatre as a culture has always prevailed but the present generations are somehow got uprooted from that culture.”
Banerjee, whose play portrayed how a criminal is haunted by his own crime, said, “Bengal Association through its youth festival is giving an opportunity to youth to attach themselves back with art and culture.”
Another director Sonjukta Bagchi, whose team had also performed at the youth festival, chose social issues to perform. Expressing concern over the present generation that is moving towards movies, she said, “Now-a-days a major section of people are moving towards movies as they found them more attractive or appealing.”
But, the people who know the real taste of the theatre’s art and culture, they are still attached to it and find it more entertaining, she added.
Sohini Sen Gupta, an Indian film actress, was the chief guest at the event. The youth festival was attended by National School of Drama Director Shantanu Bose, AIFACS chairman Biman Das among other eminent personalities.
Tapan Sen Gupta, General Secretary of Bengal Association said, “This programme was the part of the year-long diamond jubilee celebration. Our main aim is to recognise the young generation for the future.”
He also added that the function has given young generation an opportunity to prove themselves that they are the future of our nation.