Government will take necessary initiatives to revive the tradition of jatra pala and circus: Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury

Today (Wednesday), he said these things while speaking as chief guest at a day-long workshop titled ‘Performing Arts: Circus and Jatra Pala’ in the seminar room of the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The special guests at the workshop were State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam MP, Information and Culture Adviser to the Prime Minister on Policy and Strategy Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, and Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Yasmin Begum.

The Minister said that at one time jatra troupes were formed in various regions of the country through commercial initiatives; jatra pala and circus were among the main means of entertainment for the people of rural Bengal. But due to the change of time, the expansion of social media and the creation of multidimensional opportunities for entertainment, people's interest in these arts has decreased. In some cases, due to the inclusion of distasteful presentation and dance in jatra pala, the opportunity to enjoy this art in a family environment has also narrowed. He called upon all concerned to come forward in practicing life-oriented, struggle-oriented, socially conscious and quality jatra pala and circus to overcome this situation.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam said the government will take all possible initiatives to revive traditional performing arts like jatra pala and circus. There is a plan to organise cultural festivals simultaneously in all districts of the country next December. He called upon representatives of the jatra and circus troupes present to submit specific proposals within the next five days to participate in these festivals.

Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser to the Prime Minister, said the government is working to ensure healthy and quality entertainment for all. He proposed forming a special cell, assigning an official of the ministry as focal point, to identify and remove the existing obstacles in organising jatra pala and circus. Cultural Secretary Yasmin Begum said jatra pala and circus must be made time-appropriate; tasteful, creative and story-based performances must be ensured so that family members of all ages can enjoy these arrangements together.

The workshop, conducted by Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Moha: Harun Or Rashid, featured a PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Shahman Mailan, Chairperson of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Dhaka. Representatives of 35 renowned jatra troupes and 12 circus troupes from different regions of the country participated in the workshop. Their experiences, problems, possibilities and future course of action were discussed. It is expected that the workshop will play an important role in identifying the crisis of this art, exploring its possibilities and formulating an effective action plan for its sustainable development.