New Delhi, April 2
Jana Natya Manch, Delhi, organized an ‘All India Meeting of Street Theatre Activists’. Groups represented at the meeting included Praja Natya Mandali (which has 20,000 members in over 1,000 units across Andhra Pradesh), Samudaya (a statewide cultural movement in Karnataka), IPTA, West Bengal (more than 350 units across the state), and several others. The meeting took place in the context when the nation is faced with an unprecedented danger posed by the ‘twin processes of communalism and
globalisation’.
The activists meeting, with representatives from 14 Indian states, began on March 31 with the
CPI(m) leader Sitaram Yechury inaugurating it.
This was followed by a one hour-long presentation by Prof Aijaz Ahmad on communalism and culture. Also, a group discussions was held among the participants.
Prof Malini Bhattacharya made a presentation on
globalisation and culture on April 1.
The evening saw a presentation on the interconnection between communalism and globalization by Prabir Purkayastha. The discussion on the theme was lively and often heated.
Brinda Karat addressed the meeting and shared with the participants her recent experience during her visit to Gujarat.
After this, a film on the Gujarat carnage was screened and the participants discussed the various strategic approaches to combat communal fascism in the country.
The meeting resolved to observe a `Combat Communal Fascism Week’ beginning on April 12, which is also the ‘National Street Theatre Day’.
Participating groups resolved to go back to their respective states and explain the truth of what happened in Gujarat to the people.
It is expected that about 1,500 performances will take place on the first day of the `Combat Communal Fascism Week’, and similar such performances will be performed over the next 7 days. In all, it is expected that about 12,000 performances, exposing the real aim of the fascist agenda will take place all over the country. It is expected that the activist will be able to reach out and explain their view to nearly 5 million people.
