The 33rd edition of National Street Theatre Festival began on January 31 at Central Shaheed Minar premises with staging of two plays by Dhaka Padatik Natya Sangsad and Dhaka Theatre Mancha.

Dhaka Padatik Natya Sangsad staged Parichoy and Dhaka Theatre Mancha staged Bhaskarja on the opening day, while members from different troupes presented a colourful choreography.

Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, an umbrella platform of theatre troupes, has been organising National Street Theatre Festival on Central Shaheed Minar premises since 1987.

This year a total of 45 theatre troupes from across the country will stage plays at the festival. The plays will be staged at 4:00pm daily, said the organisers. Dhaka University vice-chancellor M Akhtaruzzaman inaiugurated the festival, while state minister for cultural affairs KM Khalid was present as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony.

Thespians Ramendu Majumdar, Ataur Rahman, Mamunur Rashid and Sammilita Sangskritik Jote president Ghulam Quddus were present as special guests at the inauguration ceremony presided over by Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation chairman Liaquat Ali Lucky.

The festival will end on February 7.