A folk theatre group keeps ahead with the times | Milaap
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A folk-theatre group keeps ahead with the times

Written by Nikita Publish date 02-Feb-2017
Laksmi stands next to the new sound equipment
Laksmi stands next to the new sound equipment

Our visit to Lakshmi's house was the first that morning as she had to leave early for her practice session. Lakshmi, the group leader of her Jatra drama troupe-"New Loknath Opera"; is a busy woman. The blue wooden boxes stacked up outside her house store the sound system, loudspeakers and musical instruments that she was able to purchase with the loan money. Thus they were able to replace their old,obsolete instruments and are now able to perform in more shows around West Bengal. They travel a lot , especially during the winter season, when invited by various village committees. Lakshmi admits that folk-theater performances like theirs like theirs are on the decline in cities like Kolkata. She and her husband (who also doubles up as their make-up man) try to keep up the art form by training children in the locality. Female participation is less and Lakshmi, along with another actress are the only two women in their 15 member troupe. Performances based on contemporary social issues are their preferred theme, rather than period dramas. Lakshmi also shows us some of he new costumes that she was able to purchase from Calcutta with the loan money. When I asked her to pose with a sword I spotted among the props, she shied away. They were only meant for the male characters, I was told.

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