The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy launched a month-long Jatra Pala celebration on Monday to commemorate December, the month of victory.

Jatra troupes from all over the nation participate in the festival, which is organized by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and run by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The academy's Experimental Theatre Hall will host the festival daily until December 31.

The festival's chief guest, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md. Mofidur Rahman, lit lamps to begin it, and Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (Rezauddin Stalin), director general of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, presided over it.

Throughout the month, 31 Jatra troupes—including those led by well-known playwrights and directors—are performing 31 Jatra Pala, including Mrittur Chokhe Jol, Kashem Malar Prem, Sagar Vasa, Obhagini Bodhu, Apon-Dulal, Gunai Bibi, Siraj-Ud-Duola, Meghe Dhaka Tara, Debi Sultana, Laily-Majnu, and Patalpurer Rajkannya.

Tk 100 is the set ticket price for the Jatra Pala performances. The corresponding Jatra troupes will receive the proceeds from the sale of tickets.

The National Theatre Hall's open courtyard will also host a patriotic Jatra song concert every day starting at 5 p.m.

Jatra Pala, commonly known simply as Jatra, is a traditional open-air musical theatre form popular in Bangladesh. It is one of the region’s oldest folk performance traditions, believed to have originated several centuries ago.

Jatra has long served as a folk medium of mass communication, conveying themes of heroism, social justice, and moral lessons.

In rural Bangladesh, it remains an important form of community entertainment, especially during winter festivals, fairs, and political or social events.