Conference news

"Nattyotsab"

A Classical Sanskrit Theatre Symposium

Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2-7 December 1999

Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT) and The High Commission of India, Dhaka have the pleasure to invite you to participate in "Nattyotsab" - a classical Sanskrit theatre symposium which will take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2-7 December 1999.

At present, theatre in Bangladesh and the region is mainly influenced by Western drama and theatre, although there is an old theatre tradition in the region. The roots of this tradition are found in Nattyasastro. This tradition is still existing in different parts of South Asia both as a classical Sanskrit form and as traditional forms like Kutiyattam, Kuchipudi and Yaksagana.

The symposium is planned to improve the knowledge among theatre scholars and practitioners about the Sanskrit theatre tradition. The long-term aim would be to develop a new theatre form and practice, combining elements from Sanskrit theatre with modern theatrical techniques. As such, the symposium would contribute to building of a bridge between theatre traditions in the East and the West.

Working Group

During the symposium, there will also be a meeting mainly for practitioners who want to discuss in detail on the theme "Use of Sanskrit Theatrical Elements in Modern Theatre". For further details, please contact Convener, Working Group, "Nattyotsab", Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT), 62 Barobag, Section-2, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh. Fax: 880-2-9005030 E-mail: [email protected]

Call for Papers

We invite those of you interested in presenting papers to submit an abstract of your presentation (maximum 200 words). The papers will be supplementary to the keynote papers already decided upon. The papers must be related to the following session topics:

a) Sanskrit Theatre General Overview;
b) Puravarang in Sanskrit Drama;
c) Theory of Rasa Shidhanta in Sanskrit Drama;
d) Theatre Architecture in Sanskrit Drama;
e) Indian Folk Forms and Sanskrit Drama, and
f) Roots of Bangla Folk Performances.

Language for the symposium will be English. Deadline to submit the registration form is 31 October. All registration fees will have to be paid during registration time on 2 December. Registration fee for the symposium USD 100/BDT 5000. Payment in traveller cheque and cash (USD or BDT) only. Please send registration form, abstract and make queries, if any, to the following:

Kamaluddin Nilu
Convener
"Nattyotsab" - A Classical Sanskrit Theatre Symposium
Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT)
62 Barobag, Section-2, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh
Tel: 880-2-9010469 Fax: 880-2-9005030 E-mail: [email protected]

EXTRA-SYMPOSIUM ACTIVITIES

1. Artistic Events

Workshop

A workshop on "Acting Style in Sanskrit Theatre" will be going on everyday during the period 3-6 December from 09:00-13:00. This is to give the participants an opportunity to widen their knowledge about theoretical as well as practical aspects of classical and traditional forms of Sanskrit theatre. Cost: USD 20/BDT 1000.

Sanskrit Play Performances

Classical Sanskrit plays as well as plays based on traditional forms of Sanskrit theatre will be staged every evening during the period 3-6 December at 19:00. Tickets will be sold during registration time on 2 December. Cost: USD 2/BDT 100 per ticket.

Exhibition on Sanskrit Theatre

Along with the symposium there will be an exhibition with a variety of materials on Sanskrit theatre. It will be open for the symposium participants and the public everyday during the period 3-6 December from 10:00-17:00. Admission free.

Film/Video Show

Film/video excerpts on classical and traditional theatre of Bangladesh and India will be shown. This event will be open for the symposium participants and the public everyday during the period 3-6 December from 16:30-18:30. Admission free.

Demonstration Programme

There will be demonstration programmes on Kutiyattam, Yaksagana, Palagan (a folk theatre form of Bengal) and Bharatnattyam. The demonstration programmes are for the participants only and will be held everyday during the period 3-6 December from 17:15-18:30. Admission free.

Jatra Performance

CAT will arrange an open air performance of Jatra, a traditional form of theatre in Bengal, at CAT's premises for the symposium participants. Admission free.

2. Social Activities

Banquet

A banquet for the symposium participants will take place on 7 December. Cost: USD 20/BDT 1000.

Excursion

A 5-hours river trip will take place on 7 December. Cost: USD 20/BDT 1000 including lunch and transportation.

Bus transportation

The Organising Committee will make arrangements for bus transportation from the Airport to the recommended hotels and guest-houses. There will also be transportation facility for the participants every morning before the symposium and in the evening. Please note that this facility is only offered to the participants staying in the recommended hotels/guest-houses.

Accommodation

The following hotels have special prices for the participants in the symposium. Reservations can be made through the Organising Committee.

1.	Razmoni Ishakha Hotel	Double standard room	USD 40
		Double superior	USD 45
		Double deluxe	USD 60
		(Rates are subject to 10% service charge 
		& 15% VAT)
2.	White House Hotel	Deluxe (single)	USD 25
		Deluxe (double)	USD 30
		Deluxe (fan) single	USD 12
		Deluxe (fan) double	USD 15
		(Rates are subject to 6% service charge)
3.	Hotel Purbani International	Single occupancy basis 	USD 55
		Double occupancy basis	USD 35
		(including complimentary breakfast)
		Single occupancy basis 	USD 70
		Double occupancy basis	USD 50
		(including lunch, dinner & 
		complimentary breakfast)
4.	Ambrosia Guest House	Deluxe (single)	USD 35
		Deluxe (double)	USD 40
		(Including all taxes.)

REGISTRATION FORM

NAME
INSTITUTION
POSITION
ADDRESS
COUNTRY
TELEPHONE
FAX
E-MAIL
PASSPORT NUMBER

I WISH [ ] DO NOT WISH [ ] to submit a paper for the symposium. Abstract enclosed. I AM [ ] AM NOT [ ] likely to require technical equipment for the presentation of my paper Please specify: I WISH [ ] DO NOT WISH [ ] to participate in the Working Group. I WISH [ ] DO NOT WISH [ ] to participate in the demonstration programme(s) on [ ] Kutiyattam [ ] Yaksagana [ ] Palagan [ ] Bharatnattyam I WISH [ ] DO NOT WISH [ ] to participate in the workshop on "Acting Style in Sanskrit Theatre". Cost: USD 20/BDT 1000. I WISH [ ] DO NOT WISH [ ] to attend the banquet. Cost: USD 20/BDT 1000. I WISH [ ] DO NOT WISH [ ] to join the excursion. Cost: USD 20/BDT 1000. SIGNATURE ....................................................... DATE ...............................................
Please print and return or faz this form before 31 October to: Kamaluddin Nilu Convener "Nattyotsab" - A Classical Sanskrit Theatre Symposium Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT) 62 Barobag, Section-2, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh Tel: 880-2-9010469 Fax: 880-2-9005030 E-mail: [email protected]