Theatre for Sustainable Development: Jana Sanskriti’s Participatory Ideologue and Practice
Shubhra Ghoshal
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 826004, India (India)
Nirban Manna
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 826004, India (India)
Abstract
As a reaction against the institutionalized top-down developmental orientation, the theory and praxis of development as an inclusive process of socio-political collective transformation has been constantly realized. At this juncture, performative activities have become increasingly instrumental strategies in engaging people more intrinsically in their various personal and social development issues. The focus of this paper lies in studying Jana Sanskriti Centre for Theatre of the Oppressed, which despite being an apolitical organisation, offers significant contribution towards searching for viable socio-political possibilities in contemporary India. The paper delves into discussing some specific ground realities of rural West Bengal, deliberating on the endeavours of Jana Sanskriti in extending onstage representations to offstage reformation. This research investigates how sustainable changes, defined as both individual psychological transformation and groups’ socio-political consciousness are generated among spectators through participation in this theatrical process.
Keywords:
Theatre of the Oppressed, West Bengal (India), Sanjoy Ganguly, development, activismReferences
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Authors
Shubhra GhoshalDepartment of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 826004, India India
Authors
Nirban MannaDepartment of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 826004, India India
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