The 27-day long Arohan Theatre festival of this year is to begin Sunday at Gurukul where 27 theatre troupes from 27 districts across the country will stage their performance.

The organisers have said they have worked their best to include the troupes and stories from the marginalised communities so that Gurukul would serve as a venue to perform the art they encompass. Rang Sarathi from Kathmandu and Marangburu Santhali Kalakar Parishad of Morang and Mandapika Kala Samuha, who were never seen in stage before this, will also perform during the festival.

The Ibsen theatre festival organised by Gurukul had attracted thousands of viewers, some returning without being able to get tickets even after waiting for hours in queue.

The festival begins with Arohan’s Maya Deviko Sapana at 5 p.m.

According to organisers, most of the plays selected for this festival are political in nature and influenced by themes like class conflict, contemporary politics, slavery, the impact of the ‘people’s war’, psychology and the withering condition of feudalism.

Alongside the theatre festival, there will be discussion and interaction sessions between the directors and the audience, so that all can focus on building better quality of theatre.