Winter is the time when the jatra festivals begin. Jatra, as you know, is a form of folk theater, which is very popular in Bengal’s countryside. Every year, jatra troupes from Kolkata fan out to far-flung areas staging high-pitched plays in temporary tent-like enclosures, and this happens until the beginning of Bengali new year that comes in mid-April.
The long spell of summer and monsoon thereafter is not conducive to holding jatras, and so the next turn comes only nearly 8 months later in December. However, jatra companies start building teams and new plays right after Rathyatra, the chariot festival. They often resort to family drama – and now sensational international events – to write their plays and remain in competition vis-à-vis cinema.
A typical jatra scene – mass entertainment
[Picture source]
This year, Haradhan Roy of Digbijoy Opera plans a jatra on Saddam Hussein’s death sentence, though the latter is yet to happen, pending various legal issues and appeal by Saddam, should he do so.
According to reports, Digbijoy Opera’s Saddam at the Gallows, wherein the show ends as the deposed Iraqi leader is led to the gallows, is already a massive hit even before it has started. First 50 shows are already sold out, and if the trend continues, the jatra may prove a resounding business for Haradhan Roy this winter. Read Reuter’s story.
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