AA Khan with the artistes in Ranchi on Monday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Nov. 22: Ranchi University, starting tomorrow, will host a four-day long dance-drama festival in its Senate Hall titled “Premchand Utsav” as part of its golden jubilee celebrations.

Human resource development secretary Mridula Sinha will inaugurate the programme, which would be presented by a Mumbai based group called Idea. Dramas based on the works of novelist Munshi Premchand would be presented before the audience in two sessions.

“The first session would be from noon to 2pm while the second session would be from 6pm to 9pm,” said Ranchi University vice chancellor A. A. Khan speaking at a press meet.

Khan added that the cultural programme would be open to all viewers wanting to watch Premchand’s classics in the dance-drama form.

Five dramas, including Premchand’s Mandir-Masjid, Katil, Sampadak Moteram Shastri, Panchayat and Nijat, directed by Mujin Khan will be acted out on the opening day of the programme when Justice Amreshwar Sahay is expected to be present.

Thakur Ka Kuan, Sachchai ka Uphar, Kafan, Gili Danda and Miss Padma will be the plays presented on the second day when mayor Rama Khalkho would be present.

Similarly, the dramas that are scheduled to be presented on the third day include Dawat, Khuchar, Prem Ka Uday, Sikwa Sikayat and Sawa ser Genhu. Artistes from Marwari College would present a dance-drama “Nili-Jhil”, directed by Ajay Malkani on the final day.