Bengal folk theatre echoes Mamata's 'Delhi Chalo' dream

Kolkata: A folk theatre or "Jatra" troupe in Bengal is travelling to all corners of the state staging a production that highlights Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's ambitions to play a big role in national politics after the Lok Sabha polls.

The production, Mamatar Daake Dilli Chalo (Mamata Beckons, March to Delhi), is holding sell-out shows in far off villages and towns coinciding with the election campaign.

Jatra (in Bengali) or folk theatre is a popular art form in Bengal even in this digital age. Known for its loud and melodramatic delivery on stage, it brings alive productions ranging from historical or mythological subjects to social drama.

Also portrayed are current events having a traction with its captive audience.

The production by Lokbandana Opera depicts Banerjee's political journey with the climactic scene bringing out her ultimate dream of 'Delhi Chalo'.

"The shows have started post-Diwali and will continue close to the elections. The play shows the Chief Minister's entire journey stressing on the January 19 Brigade Parade ground rally where she gathered the opposition political leaders," Sita Ghosh, who plays the Bengal Chief Minister in the Jatra, said. Ghosh,

49, has been associated with Jatra since childhood. Her work Maa Maatir Lorai showed Banerjee's struggle in her initial political career.