BotTala marks 18 years with three-day celebration
Theatre group BotTala is set to celebrate its 18th anniversary with a three-day programme featuring theatre performances, discussions, seminars, reading sessions, music, puppet shows and workshops.
The celebrations will take place from August 28 to 30 at different venues in Dhaka, bringing together theatre practitioners, artists and children through a diverse range of cultural activities.
The programme will begin on Friday (August 28) at 5pm with BotTala’s reading circle, “Boshir Alhelal Shoronanjali”, at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro auditorium. The session will focus on novelist Boshir Alhelal’s novel "Kalo Ilish" and other writings, featuring discussions, readings, recollections and musical performances. The event is open to all free of charge.
On Saturday (August 29), BotTala will organise a children’s theatre festival in memory of artist Mustafa Monwar at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The day will begin at 9am with a cartoon workshop conducted under the guidance of Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy. At the same time, “Matir Pathshala”, led by Khokon Karigor, will teach children the art of making pottery with clay.
At 11am, BotTala-e Performance Space will stage the children’s play "Dakat Halum Chitpotang". A theatre workshop for children, titled “Ovinoy Hathekhori”, will also be held, while Inventors Puppet will present the puppet show "Jonmodin Bibhrat".
Later in the day, at 4pm, Kaktarua Puppet Theatre and BotTala will jointly organise a puppet workshop at the same venue. Dhaka Little Opera will stage "Anarosher Dhaka Sofor" at 5pm, followed by Together We Can’s musical performance "Dhoronir Gaan" at 7pm.
On Sunday (August 30), the final day of the programme, Gronthik will host a storytelling session at 5pm. At 6:30pm, Universal Puppet will present the puppet show "Sabuj Desher Bipod" at the Experimental Theatre Hall.
BotTala-e Performance Space will also stage "Dakat Halum Chitpotang" and "Banyatherium". The three-day celebration will conclude with the presentation of the Nasiruddin Nadim Smriti BotTala Theatre Worker Award 2026.
BotTala Theatre Group began its journey in the theatre scene on August 27, 2008. Over the past 18 years, the group has brought nearly a dozen stage productions to audiences. It has also staged several socially conscious and protest-oriented plays,performing regularly across Bangladesh and abroad, as well as in open spaces, fields and on the streets.
Alongside its theatrical productions, BotTala runs "Actors Studio", an acting school that offers training to aspiring performers.
Over the years, the group has staged several acclaimed productions, including "Crutch'er Colonel", "Sokhi Rongomala", "Khona", "Rise and Shine", "Marx in Soho" and others.
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