The auditorium of Nazrul Kalakshetra buzzed with anticipation. It was an important day for Agartala’s theatre community—the second biennial general meeting of Sammilito Natyo Prayash (United Theatre Initiative) was about to begin. Since its inception in 2021, this collective of 16 theatre groups had been working relentlessly to keep the spirit of theatre alive in the city, staging plays every second Saturday of the month at Rabindra Bhavan. But today, beyond just theatre, they were here to plan for the future. Kartik Banik read out condolence papers for the theatre personalities who had passed away recently. Ananya Ghosh’s soulful inaugural song followed, filling the hall with emotion and setting the stage for the discussions ahead.
The advisory committee’s representatives, Subhash Das and Shishir Deb, were the first to speak. Their words carried encouragement, reminding everyone of the progress the initiative had made. Then, General Secretary Sanjay Kar took the floor, presenting a detailed report. He spoke of the group’s achievements—successful productions, growing audiences, and increased participation in theatre workshops. But he also acknowledged the challenges: the need for better infrastructure, funding concerns, and the importance of attracting new generations of theatre lovers.
Treasurer Parthapratim Acharya followed, meticulously presenting the financial report. His breakdown of expenses and funding sources reassured members that their initiative was financially stable but emphasized the need for continued community support.
Then came the heart of the meeting—the discussions. Representatives from all 16 theatre groups engaged in passionate debates about improving production quality, organizing theatre workshops, and expanding outreach. Veteran theatre personalities like Partha Majumdar and Manik Dutta shared their insights, reminding everyone that theatre is more than just performance—it is a reflection of society.
A major highlight of the meeting was the formation of new leadership committees. After careful deliberation, the members elected Sanjay Kar as President, Kamal Majumdar as General Secretary, and Sushanta Dey as Treasurer. Alongside them, a four-member advisory committee, a seven-member executive committee, and a sixteen-member general committee were formed to steer the initiative forward.
As the meeting drew to a close, there was a shared sense of commitment in the room. The United Theatre Initiative was not just about staging plays—it was about building a cultural movement. The members resolved to push forward with renewed energy, aiming to increase audience engagement, mentor new talent, and produce even more compelling theatre.
The gathering ended with a collective promise—to keep the stage alive, to make theatre a vibrant part of Agartala’s cultural identity, and to ensure that the city’s love for drama never fades.
