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Bengal

Now, watch jatras at state cultural tourism hubs

In a unique initiative, the state government is all set to organise jatras (folk theatre) at various cultural tourism hubs in Bengal.

This was planned in order to facilitate the revival of jatra in front of an audience from across the world who regularly visit these tourism hubs that are rich in culture and heritage. Folk artists from different fringes of Bengal will perform in these tourist spots.

With the new initiative taken by the state government, jatras will be the new talk of the town soon in these tourist hotspots.

The state Youth Services and Sports minister, Aroop Biswas, who is also president of Paschimbanga Jatra Academy, said: "The jatra industry had almost lost its glory. After coming to power, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee initiated measures to revive the industry. Now, the average show of each jatra is more than 100 compared to that of only 60 before our government came up with the initiative. This year a particular jatra has set an all-time record by performing in 205 shows. Now, our target is to take jatra to a global platform. So organising jatras at cultural hubs will be beneficial as people would get a whiff of Bengal's soil through the state's very own folk theatres."

The Minister of State for Tourism and Information and Cultural Affairs, Indranil Sen, who is the vice-president of Paschimbanga Jatra Academy, added: "The state Tourism and Information and Cultural Affairs Department have undertaken the task of developing cultural tourism in the state. Tourists from abroad show keen interest in watching jatras. So it can also be a part of cultural tourism."

Theatre personality Chapal Bhaduri, who received Banga Bibhushan this year, was also present. This is the first time when the state government has taken an initiative to set up booking counters for jatra groups where people can book shows. A book – Jatra Darpan — has been released by the ministers on Sunday. The book contains details of different jatras that have been played by the groups and other information using which once can easily contact them to book a show.

Copies of the book will be distributed among district authorities for further dissemination of information. An exhibition of posters of jatras has also been organised at Paschimbanga Jatra Academy and awards have been given to the three most famous productions of the past one year.
At present around 10 lakh people are involved in the jatra industry in the state and the Bengal government gives a yearly grant of Rs 9,000 to many jatra artists.
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