Satabdira Kalakar’s play Kharavela was professionally recorded and uploaded on YouTube. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 12: The 16th edition of Kalinga Natya Mahotsav will focus on the works of nationally acclaimed playwright Ratiranjan Mishra this year.

The weeklong national-level multilingual drama festival, organised by city-based theatre group Satabdira Kalakar, will commence on February 18.

The decision to focus on the works of a particular playwright was taken after the National Theatre Festival organised by Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi in collaboration with Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre and Odisha Natya Sangha copied the same format.

“As it is being organised by a government unit, the national theatre festival, unlike ours, can afford better troupes. Our earlier decision was to discontinue our festival as we were stripped of our uniqueness. But the overwhelming sentiments of those associated with the theatre group was to tweak the format and keep the festival going,” said the director Dhira Mallick of Satbadira Kalakar, who is also the president of Odisha Natya Sangha.

“I call troupes for the National Theatre Festival, but the same teams refuse to take part in my festival as I can not pay them as much,” said Mallick.

Seven plays will be showcased as part the Kalinga Natya Mahotsav. On the inaugural day, it will be Ruddhadwar, a play by the host team. The play will focus on the dirty business of power hungry and callous politicians and how they lead people to war just to hide their own weakness.

Four more city-based troupes will show their productions. While Ranga Bhumi will present Tote Jhure Mun Rati Dina, Rangakarmee will showcase Samnere Satyabhama. The artistes of Uttar Purush will present Sita and Manana will stage Atiachambita Katha.

Two teams each from New Delhi and Calcutta will also be taking part. The troupe, Utsav coming from the national capital will stage Satarka Sanghamitra and Dum Dum Sabdho Mugdho Natyo Kendra from Calcutta will present Sanju Sangita.

The festival still remains a favourite of many.

“Bhubaneswar needs national-level theatre festivals where we can see and learn the different style of formats and presentations,” said Deepak Routray, a young theatre enthusiast.