Patna, May 4: A five-day theatre fest, Ekant ke Rang, is here with a new promise for theatre lovers of the state capital.

The festival, organised by theatre group Natmandap at Kalidas Rangalaya, celebrates solo drama with 12 performances scheduled between May 3 and 7. Ekant ke Rang is set to conclude with Manto Ismat Hazir Hain, a presentation by veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah’s Motley Theatre Group.

Artistes, including Manvendra Tripathi, a Mumbai-based theatre personality and a National School of Drama alumni, Parvez Akhtar, a theatre artist and official in the state art, culture and youth affairs department, Jawed Akhtar Khan, a nationally-acclaimed theatre actor and others, are a part of the festival.

Inaugurating the festival on Tuesday, Delhi-based theatre critic Mahesh Anand said: “It is a misnomer that solo act has its root in western culture. This form has made its presence felt in Indian culture from the past, for example storytelling of Pandwani style and Ala Udal style of Bundelkhand.” Noted television, film and theatre artiste Vineet Kumar was also spotted at the inauguration.

C.L. Khatri, a member of Natmandap, said: “For an artiste, acting in theatre is a search for his own solitude. In solo drama, the solitude is apparent as one actor takes the role of different characters.”

Abu Bakar Rizwi, the secretary of Natmandap, said: “The festival is different from theatre festivals organised not only in Bihar but also the country. Solo plays to be shown include Narmedh, an adaptation of Bhisham Sahni’s stories, and Savera and Akeli Aurat, adaptations of Rise and Shine and Women Alone by internationally-acclaimed dramatist Dario Fo.”