Bhubaneswar: A stage adaptation of the Bengali classic movie Bancharamer Bagan in Odia stole the limelight during the Kalinga Natya Mahotsav, the week-long multilingual drama festival, hosted at Rabindra Mandap here.

The audience appreciated the simplicity of the narration and presentation of the play.

The play, which was staged by theatre group Shatabdira Kalakar, was a satirical comedy about a farmer Bancharam, who picks up a fight with the village zamindar to retain the ownership of his land.

The Bengali film was directed by filmmaker Tapan Sinha and written by dramatist Manoj Mitra.

"We have been staging the play since 1994 and each time it has been a great experience. We have staged the play more than 100 times at various theatre festivals across the country," said Dhira Mallick, founder of the theatre group.

Eighty-year-old theatre artiste Brundaban Barik essayed the role of the protagonist, Banchha.

"He has been playing the role Banchha since our first show. What astonishes us is that he still has the same enthusiasm," said Mallick.

The festival began with an Odia play Bisanna Bharata. A hindi play Moulana by Himachal Cultural Research Forum and Theatre Academy, directed by Suresh Sharma, was presented on Tuesday.

A Bengali play Long March by Alternative Living Theatre from Calcutta will be staged on Wednesday. It is written and directed by Prabir Guha.

The festival will end with a Hindi play Bapu by Nata Mandap from Patna.