No set, no costume, no star actors. At the Central Shaheed Minar premises, actors of Sanchalak Natya Charcha Kendra, Munshiganj were staging the play "Potla," a short, comic play with a strong social message. The audience was not limited to the so-called "theatre enthusiasts"; street vendors and passers-by flocked to see the performance. Known as "theatre for the masses," the National Street Theatre Festival began at the Central Shaheed Minar on February 1.

With the slogan “Abhay bajey hridoy majhey,” the weeklong festival has been organised by Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation. The organisation has been holding this festival every year, since 1985, from the first day of February -- the month that marks the Language Movement. This year's festival is being held simultaneously in six divisions of the country.

Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad inaugurated the festival. M Hamid, chairperson of BGTF, presided over the event while eminent theatre personalities Asaduzzaman Noor, Nasiruddin Yousuff, Mannan Hira Liaquat Ali Lucky and Jhuna Chowdhury spoke at the inaugural. Convenor of the festival, Akhtaruzzman welcomed the audience. Prabir Sarder, member secretary of the Festival Committee, presented the declaration of this year's festival.

“Cultural activists and artistes of the country play a significant role in uniting the people during every movement. Street theatre itself always tries to take on this responsibility. We are determined to devote our endeavours to ensure human rights through representing the plight of the masses in our plays,” said the declaration.

“In the past years, we've had to struggle just to get the permission to hold the event at Shaheed Minar. As the nation has demonstrated its disapproval of the war criminals and fundamentalists through the last election, this is the victory of the people that we are celebrating at this festival,” Asaduzzaman Noor said in his speech.

“This festival has become a tradition, a national event, and credits go to the untiring efforts of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation,” Nasiruddin Yousuff said. He demanded the attention of the government to ensure the security at the Shaheed Minar premises so that the cultural activities here can be carried out without hindrance.

M Hamid noted that street theatre festival has been working as a political tool in generating awareness, in the sense that the plays boldly address issues like autocracy, fundamentalism, terrorism and more.

On the first day of the festival, “Khek Shial” by Aranyak Natyadal; “Normedh” by Subachan Natyo Sangsad and “Lali” by Abayab Natyadal were also staged.

A total of 35 theatre troupes from Dhaka and other areas are participating at this year's festival. Four plays will be staged everyday from 4 pm onwards, till February 7. The festival is also being held at Abdullah Al Mamun Stage in Faridpur; Zia Haider Stage in Bogra; Selim Al Deen Stage at Central Shaheed Minar, Sylhet; Zia Haider Stage at DC Hall, Chittagong; Abdullah Al Mamun Stage at Central Shaheed Minar, Barisal and Selim Al Deen Stage at Central Shaheed Minar, Bagerhat.