Kathmandu: There were many stories expressed inthe form of playes in the 10 day College Theatre Festival organised by Pathashala Theatre. From February 17 to 27, the Sama Hall of Arohan Gurukur experienced the raw and innovative attempts of young theatre enthusiasts from seven diffeent college of Kathmandu Valley.

Oscar International College, Rato Bangla School, Xavier International College, Little Angel's College, Kathmandu University School of Management, Ullen's School, Chelsea International Academy and Kathmandu University High School staged their plays in this enthralling festival that kicked off with Pathashala Theatre's production Krapp's Last Tape.

The plays from different colleges were promising and each performance was different from another. The hard work of the college and students was cherished by the audience.

The festival saw diverse plays from classics like Othelo to modern day common man's story Mareka Bacheka.

Hami Arthat Ma was a well crafted dark comedy based on social-political scenario of Nepal. And abstract plays like Bamiyan ka Chisa Buddhaharu showcased how the destruction of stautes and sculptures in the name of revolution can destroy everything.

The effort of Pathashala Theatre to resurrect the love for theatre amongst the youth is highly appreciable.

On the final day of the College Theatre Festival, Rato Bangla (Team A) staged their untitled play, muchto the comic delight of the audience. It was an apt ending to an enthusiastic 10 day long festival organised by Pathashala Theatre Group from February 1- to 27.

"This festival is not competition, but a celebration of the medium of story telling that is theatre," said Suman Rayamajhi, the festival director.

Among the plays staged during the festival, some mediocre and other were amateurish. But all of them had the enthusiasm of young people willing to stage their passion for theatre. The festival also witnessed a new mass of theatre audience that comprised college goers.

Chelsea International's Hami Arthat Ma was a sharp satire on the country's political scenario. Similarly Little Angels' Bamiyaan kaChisa Buddha was an experimental play revolving around the destruction of Budda's idols in Afghanistan. Oscar International's Purgatory was noticeable due to its carefully choreographed movements and an inverted tree. Pathashala's production Krapp's Last Tape staged at the opening was also intensely acted out by the artistes.

Even when faults were seen in technical aspects of things, the abundant energy and enthusiasm of the organisers as well as participants more than enough compensated for it. All in all, there was an experience that the younger generation was moving towards professionalism, seriousness and sheer passion.