Form in theatre

Abstract

Sisirkumar Bhaduri in the essay on the form of theatre begins with the statement that each community has its dramatic form just as it has its own lifestyle. The form of the jatra in Bengal was present for five to six thousand years and catered to a large number of spectators from all sections of society. It dealt with mythological themes and tried to inculcate certain ideals in the minds of the people. Jatra began to lose its popularity because of its lack of realism. British theatre meanwhile emerged in Kolkata with the beginning of the British colonial rule and with assistance from prominent members of the Bengali society such as Dwarakanath Tagore. Bhaduri demonstrates how Shakespearean plays started being performed in schools and colleges, leading to the establishment of the British theatre model. Many amateur theatre groups followed. They were set up in the homes or leisure houses of the wealthy and the educated where common people were not allowed access. These groups did not survive for long. Actors from the amateur groups set up the first professional theatre. After a short history of early theatre in Bengal where talented actors were inspired by English actors, the author shows how jatra gave way to theatre in the country. However, the author refers to the emergence of the Arena Stage in Europe and advocates a return to the jatra form by making its content more relevant. The form of jatra addresses the needs of the community, and moreover the author strongly upholds the fact that a ‘national theatre’ cannot come into being through imitation of the west.