KATHMANDU, April 4: Art has no language. It directly enters the hearts of the people, and does not need the help of words. It is above the limitations of border, culture, race, and language. It has the potential to unite the humanity. Art enthusiasts are passionate about art in any form. Theatre art is one such forms that is beyond the limitations of petty divisions created by men. 

With a similar thought, Swaranam Theatre is hosting International Solo Theatre Festival to mark its 36th birth anniversary. The 4-day-long festival is the first edition of the event held in Nepal, where prominent theatre artists from across the globe -- Netherlands, Hong Kong, India, Bangladesh, France, UK, Scotland, and Nepal -- are showcasing their talents. The festival, which kicked off Monday, will feature solo plays at the premises of Sarwanam Auditorium in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu. Different workshops and seminars related to drama are also organized throughout the festival. 

Raj Shah, one of the organizers, said: “The main reason for organizing the festival is to show the Nepali culture and art to the world. Nepali theatre is flourishing day by day. We wanted to show our talents in theatre art. Besides that, we can also learn from the international artists.”

The festival commenced with a solo act by the Nepali artist Avineet Malla, who performed ‘Atirikta Akash’ that was written by Ashesh Malla, renowned litterateur and the founder director of Sarwanam Theatre. The 20-minute-long play portrayed a husband’s explanation to the police in the jail who is sentenced to death for killing his wife's rapist. 

"The play was tough, and I had to perform with different emotions -- anger, love, sorrow, laughter, surprise, and many more -- according to situation," Avineet said. 

“I had read the script of the play four years ago. The outstanding script had touched my heart. Now my dream to bring it to theatre has come true,” Avineet added. 

Two other plays, 'The Coat' and 'Jump’, performed by Soned jones and Wu Jiamin, followed the inaugural play on Monday. 

The festival is slated to run until Thursday.