Night Curfew Stumps Jatra Reopening In Odisha, Artists Plan Stir

Bhubaneswar: Organisers of Jatra (moving theatre) have questioned the Odisha government’s new unlock guidelines for August.

According to the guidelines issued on July 31, Jatra, operas and open-air theatres can reopen with half of their audience capacity. Also, night curfew will remain in force across the state from 8 pm to 6 am.

The Jatra organizers and artists complained that their performances are staged after 10 pm. Therefore the night curfew will effectively mean no Jatra, they added.

“The government has not given permission to us, rather we have been cheated. We have a plan to protest in front of the Collectors’ offices across the state to demand a special package for financial assistance of Jatra artists. That may be a reason, the government has allowed to reopen Jatra with half of our audience,” said RK Hiralal, Secretary of Odisha Jatra Kalakar and Karmachari Sangh.

“With night curfew, it is not possible to stage a show. The government has declared reopening of Jatra only to highlight their largesse in the media. We know that the Collectors will not give permission for shows. We will protest on August 9 to push for our demands. Even the artists have the right to live,” he added.

“We have not performed on stage for over 18 months. The Jatra artists are facing lots of problems without work. How can the government take the decision of reopening Jatra with the night curfew? We can’t work under such conditions,” said Daitari Panda, a popular Jatra actor.

“Artists of Ollywood movies and serials can get work. They can do indoor shooting. But how will Jatra party owners and artists? For our survival, the government should provide us some financial assistance and monthly assistance. We will join the protest on August 9,” he added.

Another Jatra artist Hrushikesh Mishra said, “The government decision on reopening Jatra stage with night curfew is like giving a tablet to a patient without water. We have given memorandum to government for four times. The government should at least give Rs 5,000 per month for six months for our survival.”

“Except some leading Jatra artists, the smaller and junior artists are struggling to survive. Some of the artists have turned migrant workers. I don’t have words to explain their plight,” he added.

Notably, some Jatra artists have been selling tea, biscuits, cakes, mushroom and cooked food on roadsides to sustain themselves. Some have migrated out of the state in search of work.