A three-day conference on Asian theater practices has started in the capital city. The conference was inaugurated on October 5 at the National Theater Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Segunbagicha in the city. The conference titled "Asian Theater Summit" has brought together theatre practitioners and researchers from Bangladesh and six other countries of Asia. It has been arranged by International Theatre Association, Asian Regional Center, Peoples Theatre Association and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

During the inauguration present among the prolific exponents were India's independent performing artist Rabijita Gogoi; Singapore's founding director of Chinese Opera Institute, Chua Soo Pong; Japanese Professor Yasu Nagata; Philippine Professor Jimmy Fong; Chan Kam Kwen, Chen Ya Jinn and Kwao Xing Ping from China; Professor Dr Mohammad Kasem Kahdahi from Dhaka's Iranian Cultural Center. Also present were thespian Ataur Rahman, International Theatre Institute president Ramendu Mazumdar and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy director general Liaquat Ali Lucky. After the inaugural session representatives from different participating countries presented an insight into theatre practices in their respective countries. After this session the cultural session followed which started with the melody of flute rendered by artist Moniruzzaman. Two choreographies were then presented, one by artistes from indigenous community and another to the tune of "Mangal Hok Ei Shatak-E" by artistes of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.