Jatra Pala

Prottyasha Opera of Meherpur performing Bedkonya

It is admirable on the part of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to have arranged a weeklong Folk Drama (Jatra) festival at the Academy's stage. In the festival, Prottyasha Opera from Meherpur, Kushtia Lokonatya Dal from Kushtia, Ekota Opera from Mymensingh, Desh Opera from Dhaka, Binodon Lokonatya Dal from Tangail, Janata Yatra Unit from Narayangonj and Bhodra Jatra Unit from Satkhira are taking part.

The plays are directed towards growing awareness among the people through their typical rhythmic voice modulation. However these modest shows, which are common now, do not belong to the traditional forms. The conventional forms are rather getting extinct. A few decades ago, jatra was a popular art form amongst the commoners for its power to strengthen rationality through a character known as Bibek.

There is controversy about the beginning of the art form in the Indian sub-continent. The common people claim that it was introduced in the early 19th century. While others believe that it was in practice before the advent of European Imperialists in the sub- continent. Dr. Afsar Ahmed, a professor in the department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University says, 'Jatra was first introduced in our country probably in the early 14th century. In Chaitonya Bhogabota there is an indication of performing jatra. In those days it was practiced as rituals like other performing arts --Pala Gaan, Bangla Drama, Kabi Gaan, Kirton and others. And there was a thin margin among these forms.

In the religious ceremony, jatra, migration of legends from one place to another, was shown which is still found in the Roth Jatra. There is a similarity between this form and the early Egyptian drama where the migration of the god Osiris was shown. The theme of jatra, in those days, was myth based. Later on, in the early 19th century, because of the successful cultural diffusion, jatra took the form of European Opera and human being became the characters of jatra. In the 19th century, it was the most popular art form in the Indian sub-continent. Even the maximum artistes who performed in the first Bangla play on a proscenium stage directed by Russian Lebedev were traditional jatra players.

Jatra Pala has a glorious history. It was considered as a sharp criticism against all kinds of injustice. The artistes were a threat to the British rulers for the social messages they delivered through the theme of a Pala. To restrict them, the Imperialists introduced Dramatic Performances Act in 1876.

Jatra artistes practiced such art forms as a family tradition. But now, they are reluctant to continue this as a source of earning. Out of many problems that the Jatra artistes face, logistic support is a major obstacle. As they fail to get sponsors, it is difficult for them to continue with the art form. As a result, some corrupt people are misusing these artistes to earn money in an illegal and indecent way. Moreover, the number of the call shows, which is their main source of income, have decreased to a great extent. Once the owners of a jatra troupe or the Pala writers were affluent but times have changed now. Some of the promising performers have now entered the film industry or have gone into other professions. As a result this rural art form is facing a threat and may not make its way to the future.