Participants at the ‘walk for theatre’ in Siliguri on Tuesday. A Telegraph picture

Siliguri, Jan. 1: Thespians and theatre-lovers of the town took out a rally “walk for theatre” today, on the eve of Siliguri Natyamela.

About 1,000 people from different walks of life participated in the rally from Dinabandhu Mancha. After walking nearly 4km along Hill Cart Road, they returned to the Mancha.

“Veteran film personality Soumitra Chatterjee will inaugurate the eight-day long fest at the Mancha tomorrow evening,” said Nandadulal Debnath, the joint convener of the festival. Pran Tapasya, directed by Chatterjee, will be the inaugural show.

This is the first time that the festival will present two Nepali plays. Kam Garne Keti, directed by Krishna Gurung, and Bhadke Ko Ghar, directed by Ashok Karki, will be staged on January 8 and 9, one of the organisers said.

Thespian Habib Tanvir will lead Naya Theatre, his troupe from Bhopal, which will present Charan Das Chor and Raj Rakta. “Tanvir will also act in both the plays directed by him to be staged on January 6 and 7,” Debnath said.

Two groups from Calcutta and one from Siliguri will also participate in the festival which will present a play every day. The show will begin at 6.30pm. Daily tickets priced at Rs 100, Rs 50 and Rs 25 are available at the Mancha counter and Economic Book Stall on College Road.

During the festival, a photo exhibition titled Rabindranath O Bangla Theatre will be held at Ramkinkar Hall. “Theatre workshop for schoolstudents as well as a guardians’ meet to make them aware about the potential of their children will also be held,” said one of the organisers.