Habiganj District Shilpakala Academy stages Jyoti Sanghita at the National Theatre Hall on Monday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was delighted by the presentation of Mujib Maney Mukti, a theatre production staged by Loko Natyadal, at the inaugural ceremony of the 12-day National Theatre Festival on Liberation War on Monday, at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Founder president of the country Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s struggles to uphold Bangali nationalism, set against the backdrop of the Pakistani oppression that culminated in the independence of Bangladesh, had been highlighted in the play, which is planned, written and directed by Liaquat Ali Lucky, who is also the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Around 50 members of the theatre troupe, clad in black, symbolised the tragic death of the founder president of the country at the end of the play.
A dance recital titled Shwabdo, presented by Spandon, also highlighted heroism of the Bangali nation in different movemnents.
Earlier the prime minister formally announced the festival open as the chief guest. Director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Liaquat Ali Lucky, delivered the welcome speech. State minister for cultural affairs advocate Promod Mankin, International Theatre Institute president Ramendu Majumdar and cultural affairs secretary Suraiya Begum were the special guests at the inauguration ceremony, presided over by cultural affairs minister Abul Kalam Azad.
The grand theatre festival features over 100 theatre productions based on the war of independence of Bangladesh, of which 74 are new productions. The festival also features dance drama, jatra, mime, poetry recitation on the war.
Funded by the government, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation have jointly organised the festival titled ‘Muktijuddher Jatiya Natyotsab.’ 
Besides staging current productions on the war by the members of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, 64 college troupes, one from each of the districts, and 10 district Shilpakala Academy units will stage new productions based on the war of independence at the festival.
Every day, during the festival, seven-13 plays will be staged simultaneously at the National Theatre Hall, Studio Theatre Hall, Experimental Theatre Hall and Music and Dance Centre of the academy.
Following the opening ceremony, Habiganj District Shilpakala Academy staged Jyoti Sanghita at the National Theatre Hall. Popular troupe Prachyanat staged Circus Circus at the Experimental Theatre Hall.
Half-hour theatre productions were staged at the Studio Theatre Hall: Government Victoria College from Comilla staged Muktijuddha O Ekjon Dhirendranath, Meherpur Government College from Meherpur staged Chhoy December, Keshobchandra College from Jhinaidah staged Rakhal Rajar Swapno.
Bhola Government College staged Beerpala, Rajshahi Government College staged Muktir Protibhash and Government Rajendra College from Faridpur staged Bijoyer Prantey at the Music and Dance Centre of the academy.
Jyoti Sanghita, written by Ruma Madok and directed by Sudip Chakrobarty, features some unknown facts about the war of independence through the struggles of the protagonist Jyotisanghita Das and his troupe during the war of independence.
Circus Circus, written and directed by Azad Abul Kalam, on the other hand, features the rehabilitation of war criminals through the tragic story of a circus troupe.