After the interval

The reinterpretation of A ‘jatra’ finds resonance in the political unrest in Bengal

Ever wondered where Bengal’s Didi got her popular slogan ‘Ma, mati, manush’ from? The answer lies in the chaotic bylanes of north Kolkata near Barabazar, known to many as Jatra para. Jatra is a form of popular Bengali folk theatre. It is here that a play titled Ma Mati Manush was staged some three decades ago.

The play was written in 1976 by Bhairav Gangopadhyay, the founder of the jatra group Bhairav Opera. Set in the backdrop of the Leftist Tebhaga movement in Bengal, the play talked about the rights of the farmers and conservation of agricultural land in the state. “The play was written and staged to educate people about the necessity to protect the rights of the farmers,” says Bhairav’s son Meghdoot Gangopadhyay, who is the current proprietor of the theatre.

‘Ma, mati, manush’ became a war cry for the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee during her Nandigram and Singur campaigns that won the party tremendous political mileage.

However, Meghdoot feels that the play, which was penned 34 years ago, has lost some of its relevance today. “I realised that the requirements of the masses have changed over time and that one has to adapt the work,” he says. Indeed, the outcome of the Singur and Nandigram campaigns and the death blow it dealt employment opportunities compelled him to re-script the entire play in 2009. What is being staged now, to great success, is a modified version of the play, but he know better than to change the name.

Jatra is a form of folk theatre that enjoys enormous popularity among the rural masses, thanks to its simple storyline and musical fervour. And thus, it is one of the most powerful modes to send out a message in the rural areas. “For instance, through our work, we have tried to explain to people the need for peaceful co-existence of industry with agriculture. After all, it is through industrialiszation that it is possible to generate jobs for educated youth,” says Meghdoot.

The play has become popular among rural masses. Bhairav Opera has held more than 130 successful performances of the play across almost all districts of south Bengal last year. This will be the second year for the new version of Ma, Mati, Manush and as many as 35 shows are booked in advanced till December.

Meghdoot insists that his jatra group is not a progaganda machine for any political party but he believes that it is his moral duty as a playwright to educate, entertain, and inform the masses with the realities of the day.

Meghdoot is ready with the script of his new play, Ekar Pododhoni? “I want to make the masses aware of the coming days of anarchy and uncertainity,” he says . Evidently then, he does not comply with Didi’s ideas of ‘Ma, mati, manush’.