Theatre fest to create social awareness in Kolkata, suburbs

Thirteen countries are participating in a theatre festival here, aimed at generating awareness on various social and political issues, including domestic violence, gender equality and public policies.

The 15-day 'Forum theatre' fest, 'Muktadhara', organised by 'Jana Sanskriti - Centre for the Theatre of the Oppressed', has arranged for performances in the city and its neighbourhood by members of the underprivileged sections.

Forum theatre is an applied drama technique that intends to empower the spectators by imparting social messages. Members of the audience often take part in the play, usually pulled off without any stage or curtains.

Thirty theatre troupes from across India and artistes from 13 countries, including Austria, Finland, Australia, France, Germany and the UK, have arrived in Kolkata to take part in the fest, which began on December 8, one of the organizers said.

"The festival is being held in two phases - one in the city and the other in the villages of Sunderbans, South 24 Parganas district. The plays by people of underprivileged sections will be dealing with various contemporary issues that plague the society," he said.

At a city auditorium on Wednesday, agricultural labourers from different parts of the country will be presenting a play based on Henrik Ibsen's 'A Doll's House', the organizer said.

"'Khelar Ghor', adapted from Henrik Ibsen's 'A Doll's House' will be presented in 'Forum theatre' format on December 13 at Mohit Maitra Mancha (auditorium)," he said.

Veteran theatre personality Chapal Bhaduri, the last of the female impersonators on Bengali stage, will be felicitated at the programme, he added.