 "Political theatre in WB still relevant in age of social media")
The importance of political theatre has not lost its relevance in the age of Twitter and Facebook in shaping public opinion in West Bengal though the number of plays staged during poll time have rapidly declined over the years.
Though social media has gained much ground in creating political awareness, they are mainly restricted to mainly urban India, dramatists feel.
Left veteran and former West Bengal Chief Minister Budhhadeb Bhattacharjee, a connoisseur of art and culture, said the importance of political theatre had not diminished with time.
He said that still in rural Bengal people after a political meeting sit to watch street theatre organised by Left Parties. "This time too, there will be no variation."
His view is shared by the state's education minister, Bratya Basu of the Trinamool Congress, who is also a noted actor and theatre personality.
"Without doubt, political theatre has played an important role and will continue to do so. We too are relying on political theatre and street theatre as a mode of election campaign," Basu told PTI.
Stage actor Kaushik Sen whose "Karkat Krantir Desh", which deals with religious fundamentalism during the time of Auranzeb, featured in a theatre festival recently, agreed to the importance of street theatre.
"Theatre has always been a mirror to society. It sends out a message - be it political or social. My play also tends to tell about communalism," Sen said.
Jatra, or folk theatre, is a powerful tool in communicating with the people in rural areas and very often they deal with political topics.
Political parties over the ages have utilised this medium to put across their points of view.
Though social media has gained much ground in creating political awareness, they are mainly restricted to mainly urban India, dramatists feel.
Left veteran and former West Bengal Chief Minister Budhhadeb Bhattacharjee, a connoisseur of art and culture, said the importance of political theatre had not diminished with time.
Also Read
"Yes, political theatre, especially the street theatre variety, has always played an important role and is still playing an important role in rural Bengal in creating political opinion of the masses," he told PTI.
He said that still in rural Bengal people after a political meeting sit to watch street theatre organised by Left Parties. "This time too, there will be no variation."
His view is shared by the state's education minister, Bratya Basu of the Trinamool Congress, who is also a noted actor and theatre personality.
"Without doubt, political theatre has played an important role and will continue to do so. We too are relying on political theatre and street theatre as a mode of election campaign," Basu told PTI.
Stage actor Kaushik Sen whose "Karkat Krantir Desh", which deals with religious fundamentalism during the time of Auranzeb, featured in a theatre festival recently, agreed to the importance of street theatre.
"Theatre has always been a mirror to society. It sends out a message - be it political or social. My play also tends to tell about communalism," Sen said.
Jatra, or folk theatre, is a powerful tool in communicating with the people in rural areas and very often they deal with political topics.
Political parties over the ages have utilised this medium to put across their points of view.