DUE TO increasing impact of satellite TV and booming multiplexes, theatre is threatening to become history in metros. Even plays featuring popular celebrities hardly succeed in garnering a decent audience. In such circumstances, the traditional art movement, Jhadipatti (meaning ‘bush tract’), is still running full throttle. It has not only maintained its audience since decades, but has also succeeded in making and breaking records.
Recently, a Marathi drama, Atmahatya, produced by Shri Venkatesh Natya Mandal, Navargaon, collected Rs 4 lakh for charity in a single show staged at village Vashikora in Chandrapur district on March 14.
“This is due to people’s passion for drama. It was a pleasant surprise for all of us,” reacted Sadanand Borkar, producer of the drama, and head of Venkatesh Natya Mandal, speaking exclusively to The Hitavada over the telephone.
Borkar spoke at length on the Jhadipatti drama movement, present mainstream drama, and Maharashtra Government’s complete disregard towards Jhadipatti.
“Atmahatya is based on the issue of farmers’ suicides in Vidarbha. We expected about 1,000 drama lovers to be there for the show as the figure of advance booking was about Rs 1 lakh, but spot booking doubled the figure. Finally, organisers reshuffled the seating arrangement, and we performed in the open. The show was for charity, so we all are happy to collect a decent (!) amount,” said Borkar.
During the current season, which ended on March 29, Borkar’s Venkatesh Natya Mandal staged total 78 shows of two plays Atmahatya and Maze Kunku Mich Pusale. “All shows were house-full. Collection of Rs 1 lakh or more is usual in one show. People’s love and artists’ dedication are the keys that keep our movement going,” said Borkar.
When Jhadipatti theatre is getting such an overwhelming response in rural areas, what can be wrong with mainstream theatre?
On this, Borkar said, “Jhadipatti movement is altogether different from mainstream theatre. The present professional scene is mostly about cheap humor while the amateur stage is suffering from poor response at the box office and from the audiences.
However, in Jhadipatti, we believe in conveying a message of social interest. Here, we try to involve all aspects of the drama with a social message, which directly touch the hearts of the audience.”
Borkar shared his experience that a huge gathering of thousands of people heard a long monologue on the evil of superstitions at the end of Maze Kunku Mich Pusale, in pin-drop silence. “This is how a drama is staged and watched in Jhadipatti,” he exulted.
Message for others!
We want nothing from Government but attention: Sadanand Borkar, Zadipatti Theatre Activist
JHADIPATTI theatre movement is facing utter disregard from the State Government since generations. “Government spends crores of rupees to encourage cultural activities, especially drama in the State. For amateur drama fests, it allots funds in lakhs while for professional stage, it gives financial assistance to producers. Unfortunately, there is nothing planned for the Jhadipatti movement,” expressed Sadanand Borkar.
Borkar shared an experience from the recent All India Marathi Natya Sammelan, which exposed the ignorance of the Government. During his speech at the Natya Sammelan, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh appealed to producers to produce plays with a message for farmers. He said, “we do not have a drama on farmers’ pathetic condition and nobody has written scripts on this subject.” This was the reaction when his group was staging the 50th show of Atmahatya at the same time in Jhadipatti, lamented Borkar.
His drama group is one of the oldest groups in Jhadipatti. They are planning to construct their own auditorium at Navargaon, of course without a single penny from the Government.
“We never demanded anything from the Government. Ours is a people’s movement and we are surviving since generations because of the people.”
